Andy Muirhead’s move to Canberra was his self-proclaimed “last crack”. A Brisbane product, the mercurial winger began his rugby journey through the Lloyd McDermott program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.
From there, Muirhead played for Souths Rugby Club in Queensland’s Premier Rugby competition. His journey continued by making the Brisbane City side, though he felt as though his best opportunities were outside his home state.
Muirhead, 31, arrived at the Brumbies in 2017, in a season in which he worked part-time as a delivery driver. Having made an impression in training, he was awarded his debut against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Now, eight years on from that day, the winger is set to win his 100th cap for the Brumbies – a remarkable achievement for a guy who arrived in Canberra as one last roll of the dice.
So as his career comes full circle – his 100th match coming in his home city – we look back on the moments that have defined Muirhead’s career to date.
Debut vs Southern Kings – Port Elizabeth (20/05/2017)
Muirhead’s persistence finally paid dividends when he was selected on the bench for the Brumbies Round 13 fixture against the Southern Kings. The record books show that the winger was on the field for a total of one minute, however, the memories of his debut will stand the test of time.
He has someone else to thank for getting on the field, however. With the clock running down, Muirhead believes that Henry Speight may or may not have feigned a slight injury to get the youngster on the park. Despite the lack of minutes on debut, Muirhead didn’t wait long to stamp his mark on Super Rugby…
Two Tries in His Second Match – Buenos Aires (27/05/2017)
A maiden try for any player is typically a commentator’s delight. In Muirhead’s case, that wasn’t so. As Wharenui Hawera put a grubber through the defensive line, Sean Maloney seemed desperate for Tom Banks to secure his hat-trick. “Banks! For try number threeeeee!!!”. To Maloney’s disappointment, “he doesn’t get there… but the flying man on the outside does…. Andrew Muirhead”. Brumbies teammates, however, provided plenty of excitement, none more so than Banks himself.
Less than a minute later, Muirhead reminded everyone exactly why the Brumbies had given him a crack. Receiving the ball 10 metres out from the line, many might have questioned Andy’s decision to go for the line. After all, with three players to beat, a pass to his outside man looked the sensible option. Brimming with confidence, Muirhead took on a couple of the biggest Argentinians on the park, carrying three of them over to double his match tally. If anyone didn’t know the name Andrew Muirhead, they did now.
Super Rugby AU Champion – Canberra (19/09/2020)
The ability to take on bigger bodies – and win – has been a hallmark of Muirhead’s career. From the second try of his career in Buenos Aires, Andy’s strength and courage have allowed him to seemingly ‘will’ himself to the line repeatedly. That was exemplified in the Super Rugby AU final of 2020, where the Brumbies were hosting the Queensland Reds at GIO Stadium.
At 10-3 in the 26th minute, the home side was desperate to extend their lead heading into the break. A 20-year-old Noah Lolesio stepped around several defenders, before popping an offload to Muirhead in the number 14. No one, other than the winger, seriously thought a try could be scored from that position. In his way was Branden Paenga Amosa, Taniela Tupou, and Filipo Dangunu. A cement truck would have done a good job to get through those three. But Muirhead - with his dogged determination and unwavering belief - beat all three, setting up a famous Brumbies victory.
Quarter Final Heroics – Canberra (08/06/2024)
Rugby players are not often compared to the likes of Lionel Messi. The sports of rugby and soccer, after all, have very little in common. Andy Muirhead mightn’t agree with that sentiment. In the 47th minute of last year’s home quarter-final against the Highlanders, Lolesio kicked across the field for his winger. It didn’t find Muirhead’s hands, but it didn’t matter in the end. With control that an A-League player would be proud of, Muirhead kicked the ball forward before it had even hit the ground, then touching it again with his foot before gathering the ball to score.
The try was his second, after he scored the opening try of the match, demonstrating the importance of a winger’s positioning.
Accelerating through the 90’s (2025)
The 90’s can be a nervous time in any sport. Shane Warne famously fell in the 90’s on multiple occasions. Whether it’s the knowledge of the impending milestone, or simply a lowering of the guard, the short stretch between 90-100 can sometimes feel the longest of all.
Andy Muirhead might argue otherwise. The prolific winger has enjoyed a rich vein of form to start season 2025. With six tries and three assists to his name in only seven matches, the Brumbies flyer is staking a serious claim for a spot in Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad to face the British and Irish Lions.
Alongside Tom Wright and Corey Toole, Muirhead will look to make his 100th Super Rugby appearance a winning one. And what better place to do it than back in Brisbane - where it all started.
