Young prop Lington Ieli has signed a new deal with the ACT Brumbies, keeping him at the club until the end of 2028.
Ieli, 21, recently made a try-scoring debut for Australia A as a substitute in the 71-7 win over Japan XV in Osaka.
The Fijian-born prop was over the moon to secure his long-term future in Canberra.
“I’m really happy and glad for the opportunity to stay and keep playing for this incredible club,” Ieli said.
“The Brumbies have helped me thrive and improve as a player and a person. I can’t wait to continue my journey in Canberra and develop my game further with this group.”
Ieli was born in Fiji and is of Rotuman, Banaban descent. His family relocated to Queensland when he was three-years-old, attending Inala State School in his youth, before heading to Brisbane Boys’ College from year 7 onwards, the same school as the likes of Darcy Swain and Len Ikitau. Ieli had a bad run of injuries in high school, meaning he missed large parts of his year 11 and year 12 seasons, a pivotal stage of a rugby player’s development.
In 2023, after recovering from his injuries and impressing for Souths Rugby Union Club in Brisbane, he was picked up by the Brumbies and was part of the under-19s side that won the Super Rugby title later that year, despite sustaining an ankle injury when he arrived at the club.
The following year, he was selected for Australia under-20s for the World Rugby U20s Championship in South Africa.
Last season, he made his Super Rugby Pacific debut in Round 1 during the 36-32 win over Fijian Drua, in his hometown of Suva. It was the first time that an Australian franchise had won a Super Rugby match in Fiji.
He went on to make eight appearances for the Brumbies last season, coming off the bench in both of our finals matches.
Ieli was then named in the inaugural First Nations & Pasifika XV squad to take on the British & Irish Lions in July, where he started the historic match at Marvel Stadium alongside Taniela Tupou and Brandon Paenga-Amosa in the front-row. The side pushed the Lions all the way in a tight 24-19 loss, with Ieli proving he belonged on the world stage. Earlier that month, he had also started in our 36-24 loss to the Lions at GIO Stadium.
Having previously been named in a wider training squad for the Wallabies ahead of the Lions tour, Ieli then made his impact for Australia A last month in Japan. We suspect it won’t be his last in the green and gold.
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham was pleased to see Ieli commit his immediate future to the club.
“The progress Lington has made in the last year has been incredible. He’s grown into an outstanding young rugby player,” Larkham said.
“What’s been most impressive is his work-rate and desire to improve. He has developed exceptionally well in his set-piece areas and particularly the scrum. We’re excited to have him on board for the next three seasons.
“We now have three, quality loosehead props in (James) Slipper, (Blake) Schoupp and Lington, who will all be pushing each other for a place in 2026.”
