It's a long way from Basque Country in Spain to Canberra.
More than 17,000 kilometres separate Vitoria-Gasteiz from the ACT, but for Anne Fernández de Corres, the move to the Brumbies has already felt like the right one.
The Spanish international arrived in Australia ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Women's season with an impressive rugby résumé. Captain of the Spanish Women's Sevens side and a Rugby World Cup under her belt, Fernández de Corres brought international experience, leadership and an exciting style of play to a Brumbies squad fighting to take the next step.
Three games into the season and she's already delivered.
Conducting the attack from the breakdown, darting through defensive lines or throwing herself into defensive contests, the crafty no.9 has quickly established herself as one of the Brumbies' most influential players.
“It’s always been my dream to play rugby in Australia,” Fernández de Corres said.
“When (Head Coach) James Erwin contacted me in November, I was so surprised I couldn’t say no to that opportunity.”
“I still sometimes have to sit down and reflect on it and say like, wow, I’m playing in Australia right now. I’ve been here for almost four months and I’m really happy in Canberra.”
Fernández de Corres first picked up a rugby ball at just seven years old with her hometown club, Gaztedi Rugby. In a nation where football and basketball reign supreme, rugby wasn't the obvious choice—but the oval ball simply felt right in her hands. That decision sparked a journey that has since taken her across the world.
With a style akin to her idol, French superstar Antoine Dupont, Fernández de Corres comes alive in the chaos. Quick-thinking, elusive and a sixth-sense for knowing where her teammates are, have quickly become hallmarks of her performances in Brumbies colours.
“Physicality here is much higher than in Spain. It’s closer to international level,” Fernández de Corres said.
“I have to push really hard to be at the level of the best players in the team. There’s lots of world-class players here and they make me push harder for them and for the team.”
“I think what I bring to the Brumbies is speed of play. I bring that energy, that speed, and that technique with passing and evasion.”
Balancing elite rugby with studies in Sport Science, Fernández de Corres thrives on stepping outside her comfort zone. Joining the Brumbies was simply the next challenge she couldn't pass up.
The move presented not only a new rugby challenge, but the chance to immerse herself in a different culture, experience a new competition and continue developing alongside some of Australia's best players and coaches.
“It’s been really good for my English, but it’s also challenging,” she said. “Sometimes I still don’t understand everything, so I have to improve my communication.”
“It’s been my most challenging experience so far… but it’s what I needed—getting out of my comfort zone, new team, new country, new language, new everything."
Now, with the Brumbies heading into a bye week after a demanding opening month, Fernández de Corres has the chance to reflect on an eventful start to life in Australia before turning her attention to the second half of the season.
The journey from Spain to Canberra may have been a long one, but for one of the Brumbies’ brightest recruits, it’s only just beginning.
“We don’t just want to compete, we want to win games… we know we can get into the finals and be a big surprise,” she said.
“Really excited to play at home… having the fans supporting us is going to be really important. We need you there.”
The Brumbies take a bye this weekend before turning their attention to their final home match of the season against the Western Force at Viking Park on July 5. Don't miss out, Buy tickets here.
