To the Moon: The name driving Irae Simone in a bid to build an ACT Brumbies Super Rugby legacy

A double egg and bacon McMuffin every Saturday with his brother and sister before racing home to pack his bag for Mount Albert Grammar School's first XV clash that afternoon.

Then he "would just get out there and rip in". As if you'd expect anything less from the would-be Wallaby when you learn a little more about the man he was playing for.

Geoff Moon was more than a rugby coach. He was a school teacher, a mentor and a friend, the kind of person that would unearth a self-belief within his pupils so many could only dream of.

"Before school he would pick me up and take me to school. After training he would drop me off home. It was something special like that," Simone said.

"He coached my dad [Laauli] in footy as well, in club footy and then the next level up which is the [national provincial championship], and then he began coaching me. That's something that is pretty special.

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"It was unfortunate that we lost him a couple of years ago now, but just having a story like that, carrying his name through the legacy, it's people like that you've got to look back to.

"That's what drives you and gives you that spark to get better and go to the next level. Someone like him, he's someone special and close to my heart. He played a huge part in my upbringing and until now, I still look back at that."

Which is why Simone will be thinking about his old mentor when he laces up his boots for the ACT Brumbies ahead of a Super Rugby AU final against the Queensland Reds at Lang Park on Saturday.

So much has transpired since Simone walked out the doors of Mount Albert Grammar on his final day. He was lured across the Tasman by South Sydney Rabbitohs before joining the NSW Waratahs, and ultimately the Brumbies.

But the biggest change came three years ago, long before a maiden Wallabies cap or the chance to win back-to-back Super Rugby AU titles.

Fatherhood.

Oakie Simone turned three last Saturday. It was a timely reminder that, with the Brumbies' season on the line, football is just a game. Family, there's your why.

"That was pretty special," Simone said.

"We had our family breakfast with Pete [Samu], Beks [Rebecca Van Kuyk] and the little ones. That was pretty special, to have breakfast with them.

"We had a little cake, I didn't have any of course."

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Not on game day. But isn't this the same bloke who used to hook into McDonald's when he was a teen prodigy at the same nursery that produced Olympians and scores of football internationals including Sonny Bill Williams?

Simone looks back at those weekly trips to McDonald's with his brother and sister and just laughs. He wonders how he did it. But that was just his tradition, his routine. Of course, you couldn't do it at this level.

"Well, you can, but only some players can get away with it," Simone grinned.

"I look at those memories, those are the special times. They're times you look back at when you're at this level now, and you're grateful for the opportunities. Now here I am, you sit back and laugh.

"As soon as I stepped into pro life, I knew I had to change something and I knew it was Maccas, so Maccas had to stay back at home. I had to change how I eat, because everything was all about nutrition. I look back at that and I'm grateful.

"People back at home or in school, they don't really get taught about that kind of stuff until you get to the next level and they're like 'you've got to eat this kind of stuff to stay on top of your game'.

"Moving over here, I wasn't used to eating rabbit food mate, but now I'm used to it, eating all my carrots and all my greens.

"Apparently it helps your vision at night-time, that's what they say."

So with a decider in mind, he promised to "eat a few more on Friday night".

SUPER RUGBY AU FINAL

Saturday: Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies at Lang Park, 7.45pm. Broadcast: Live on Stan Sport and Channel Nine. Tickets from Ticketek.

ACT Brumbies squad: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Nick Frost, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Nic White, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Folau Fainga'a, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Henry Stowers, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Mack Hansen.

Queensland Reds squad: 1. Feao Fotuaika, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Ryan Smith, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. James O'Connor (c), 11. Jock Campbell, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Bryce Hegarty. Replacements: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Dane Zander, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Seru Uru, 20. Liam Wright, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Isaac Henry, 23. Filipo Daugunu.

*The Brumbies are offering a package for fans including a charter flight to and from Brisbane, a ticket to the final, and one night's accommodation. Secure your seat here.

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