'The best thing for my young family': Solomone Kata leaves ACT Brumbies

The Canberra Times can reveal the Brumbies have granted Kata a release from his contract for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific, which he signed in August, on compassionate grounds.

Sources say ex-NSW Waratah and former sevens rugby star Cam Clark is in line to fill the void in the Brumbies' squad after the 28-year-old who spent the 2021 campaign with the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.

Border restrictions designed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have kept Kata, who played 15 games for the Brumbies since joining the club ahead of the 2020 season, away from his extended family for long periods of time during the past two years.

Kata's wife is due to give birth to their second child in early February, with the pair keen to stay close to their support network in New Zealand. Kata has been playing with Auckland in the National Provincial Championship.

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"I want to thank the Brumbies for granting me this early release," Kata said.

"When I re-signed for next season, I was so excited to come back to Canberra and to continue developing at the Brumbies but being in Auckland with my family, and COVID travel restrictions, I've had to make some difficult choices to do the best thing for my young family.

"I've loved my time at the Brumbies and I wish my teammates and everyone at the club well for the future."

Kata's decision to stay in Auckland could pave the way for him to join one of the two Super Rugby franchises based in the city, the Auckland Blues or the newly-formed Moana Pasifika.

"While we'll miss having Sol at the club, granting him an early release is the right thing to do in this instance," Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.

"We've enjoyed having him here at the Brumbies, but we understand personal circumstances change and that it's in his best interest to remain in New Zealand."

"He'll be a Brumby for life, and we wish Sol and his family all the best for the future."

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