Talented scrum half Ryan Lonergan has signed a new contract with the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies until the end of 2027.
Canberra local Lonergan, 27, made his debut for the club in 2017 against the Chiefs in Hamilton and has gone on to make 87 appearances so far, scoring 193 points. His younger brother, Lachlan, also reached 50th caps for the Brumbies this season in the historic 20-19 win against the Blues at Eden Park.
The elder Lonergan was delighted to put pen to paper on a new deal that keeps him in the nation’s capital for at least the next two seasons.
“I’m super excited to sign on for another two years. This is my hometown and I grew up loving this club,” Lonergan said.
“It’s been a privilege to play for the Brumbies for so many years and I’m proud to be able to stick around for another couple.
“I was happy to know the Brumbies were keen to keep me on and it helps having my brother (Lachlan) sign on too. We’re pretty much best mates and we still live together. We’ll keep it rolling for as long as we can!”
Lonergan grew up in Williamsdale, close to the border of Canberra, and was educated at Trinity Christian School in Wanniassa.
He graduated through the Brumbies pathway program, having appeared for Australian Schoolboys, and went on to captain Australia U20s at the World Rugby U20s Championships in France in 2018, alongside the likes of fellow Brumbies Mack Hansen and Len Ikitau.
Over the years that followed, Lonergan slowly but surely began to cement his place in the nine position at the club, making his first start against the Sunwolves in 2020.
In 2021, the scrum half kicked a plus 50m penalty to secure a nailbiting 27-24 win over the Rebels. Lonergan’s kicking ability for a scrumhalf is impressive, not just off the tee but also out of hand, often being able to relieve pressure for his side in vital moments.
He has become a senior leader at the Brumbies and is one of the club’s vice captains, often skippering the side when Allan Alaalatoa is absent.
Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson was complimentary of what Lonergan brings to the club and was extremely happy to tie him down to a new contract.
“It’s been amazing to see Ryan’s growth at the Brumbies over the last few years as a person and a player,” Thomson said.
“His all-round game is outstanding, not only his passing off both hands and his kicking out of hand and off the tee, but also the leadership he brings to the team in the pivotal position of scrum half.
“I said something similar when his brother signed, but it’s so rewarding for us at the club to see people born and raised in the area come through our pathway system and produce the goods on the pitch in the Brumbies colours. We’re excited to see Ryan continue to do so over the coming years.”
