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Dubbed the “baby-faced assassin” by his coach, the Brumbies are banking on Robbie Coleman being able to match it with the big boys of Super rugby.
The 20-year-old inside back has been offered a one-year-deal with the Canberra-based side for next year’s expanded 15-team rugby competition.
It caps a stellar year for the Queanbeyan player, that included his nomination as one of four players for the IRB’s junior player of the year and winning the Australian Rugby Union’s under 20s player of the year.
Graduating from the St Edmunds, the same school as Wallabies back Matt Giteau and former skipper George Gregan, Coleman was also a regular fixture within the Australian Sevens squad, culminating in a Commonwealth Games silver medal in Delhi.
Brumbies head coach Andy Friend says Coleman, who stands 179cm and is 83kg, is a player with huge potential.
“Robbie’s a bit of a baby-faced assassin but he’s shown during his brief career – and particularly this year – that he can rise to any challenge presented to him,” Friend said.
“There’s no doubt he’ll benefit from playing and training alongside guys like Matt Giteau and we’re really excited to see how Robbie’s career unfolds.
“He’s developing an excellent understanding of the game, he’s a confident ball player, he’s got genuine speed and he plays and defends well above his weight.”
Coleman who can play both flyhalf and inside centre, made his one and only Super rugby appearance when he replaced Adam Ashley-Cooper in his side’s win over the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium.
He said winning a Brumbies contract was the realisation of a childhood dream.
“I played league and union growing up but when I switched to rugby at school the goal was always to play for the Brumbies,” Coleman said.
“It was a great experience to play Super 14 this year, it was a real adrenaline rush and I loved it.
“I was pretty nervous but I got on towards the end of the game and Gits (Matt Giteau) was still out there helping call the shots which was great.”
Coleman is the sixth player to be promoted from the 2010 Brumbies Academy squad, and leaves just one place remaining in the senior side
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