'Strength in numbers': ACT Brumbies winger Andy Muirhead hopes Super Rugby First Nations round changes the game

The hooves of wild Brumbies which represent the Indigenous men to have played for the Super Rugby club, and the iconic Brindabella mountain ranges.

"It'd be nice to have something in the jersey that we could have every week, that would be just a little representation of the culture," Muirhead said.

"It's probably something we have to look into getting forward for the future."

The prospect of the Brumbies carrying Indigenous artwork on their regular jerseys would be something of a landmark moment in Australian sport.

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That's the power Super Rugby AU's First Nations round has. The Brumbies, Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels and Western Force are all wearing Indigenous jerseys in round four.

It's a sign of "strength in numbers" which Brumbies winger Muirhead hopes can be a driver for change on and off the park, for the kids like him.

Muirhead can still remember the daily taunts, the bullies, the racism. But today he stands proud of who he is - a Barunggam man who uses weeks like this to connect with his culture like never before.

Now the 11^th Indigenous man to pull on the Brumbies jersey hopes to inspire more to follow in his footsteps as he prepares to take on the Reds at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

"I'd like to hope so. I feel like any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people representing our culture in a positive way is always a good thing for our youth," Muirhead said.

"I like to think I try to put my hand up and give a positive role model to those guys looking to play rugby, rugby league, whatever they want to do in the future. I'd like to step into that role.

"Being a lone soldier at the moment at the club, I definitely feel like I'm representing the other nine that have played in the jersey previously."

Like Andrew Walker, the electrifying fullback whose tries still make highlight reels to leave rugby fans gobsmacked.

Like former Wallaby Jim Williams, Lenny Beckett, Brendan Williams, Robbie Abel, Rory and Richie Arnold, and Fainga'a trio Colby, Saia and Anthony.

Muirhead could scroll through Rugby Australia's social media channels and see highlights of Nathan Blacklock, Milton Thaiday and of course ex-Brumbies fullback Walker posted this week.

But honouring the past is just the start, and the Brumbies have left no stone unturned in a bid to educate today's playing group and lay the foundations for the next generation.

This week Muirhead joined Brumbies teammates Tom Wright and Folau Fainga'a in Tharwa to cook kangaroo and barramundi over a fire with traditional herbs and spices.

Days later the in-form flyer visited the Burrunju Art Gallery with suspended captain Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Reesjan Pasitoa.

The group got involved in painting and wood burning items the Brumbies will hand over to the Reds before kick-off on Saturday night.

So often convincing players to take part in promotional activities like this is akin to pulling teeth for club staff.

But not this week.

"The boys are putting their hands up. The content we're getting through and the feedback the boys had after we did the promos was they want to do more of that sort of stuff," Muirhead said.

"It makes me happy the boys are happy to try out things my culture do, and they're really ready to dive in and embrace it.

"That's one thing I really get out of these weeks. [Wiradjuri man Dale Huddleston] who has done our jerseys in the past, he obviously performs here and is a pretty good didg player, he always has a wealth of knowledge.

"Every time you sit down with him he is always giving you a wealth of information. It's not just other players learning, it's also myself."

SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND FOUR

Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Broadcast: Live on Gem and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.

ACT Brumbies team: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Tom Ross, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack (c), 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Mack Hansen, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Archer Holz, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Jahrome Brown, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.

Queensland Reds team: 1. Dane Zander, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O'Connor (c), 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Suliasi Vunivalu, 15. Jock Campbell. Replacements: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Ryan Smith, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23. Josh Flook.

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