If Canberra has one thing to thank COVID-19 for, it's the signing of experienced outside-back Chris Feauai-Sautia.
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The 27-year-old had plans to continue playing overseas, having made the move to French club Oyonnax after he was left off the roster for the Queensland Reds following several seasons with them.
The wing or midfield player said he planned to stay abroad for longer but COVID changed his plans, so he signed on with the Brumbies.
"I was there for half of the season, six months, but it was [a] very different style that they play over there to Super Rugby," he said.
"It's a real physical and forwards game. My team, basically, we based our game around possession so we kicked a lot ... it was a bit different for me but I enjoyed it.
"In my mindset, I was planning on staying overseas for a while, but it didn't really work out because of COVID and I just wanted to get back home to family.
"So I'm just really grateful to the Brumbies who gave me this opportunity to come here."
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He played 81 games for the Reds from 2012 to 2020, before his rugby career with Queensland was curtailed by injury leading the side to cut him at the end of 2020.
He played two Tests with the Wallabies, before injuries sidelined him from the national camp.
He said the end goal was to get back into the national side, but he remained focused on the task ahead with the Brumbies.
"First and foremost, I just want to get my body right and compete ... and try and get into that match day 23 each week," he said.
"So now I have a chance to prove my spot here and then hopefully when that comes later on I'm up for it."
Despite previous injuries Feauai-Sautia is ready to go for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season. He said his body felt really good.
"The Brumbies have a really good rehab program so I'm just really grateful to them for just looking out for me and just knowing my history and stuff," he said.
"I've been working really hard and trying to stay on top of my injuries."
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
