Solomone Kata has been granted a release from his Super Rugby contract with the Brumbies so he can remain in New Zealand for family reasons.
The 26-year-old outside joined the club in 2020, switching codes after a five-year stint in the NRL with the New Zealand Warriors.
He played 12 rugby league Tests, representing both New Zealand and Tonga.
Hampered by injury during 2021, Kata departs the club having made 15 appearances for the Brumbies in his two years in Canberra, scoring five tries.
He re-signed in August but has decided to stay in Auckland where he has been playing in the NPC.
“I want to thank the Brumbies for granting me this early release,” Kata said in a statement.
“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.”
Brumbies head coach, Dan McKellar said while they wanted to keep Kata on their books, a release was the right thing to do.
“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,” McKellar said.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
They all gone to the Force haha
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
That hits their wing stocks. Already lost Mack Hansen. Fines as well who they used on the ding a ling. keen to see who plays with Wright and Banks in the back 3.
jeznez
Roar Guru
You've picked up a good few there but also included plenty that categorise similarly to the (Cusack, Miller, McCaffrey, Pocock, Leali’ifano, etc.) group which I put down separately. I think a big part of it is who they've replaced younger guys they would have wanted to keep with. Re-listing the young guys that I think the Brumbies probably would have wanted but they've covered with an older player: Angus Wagner/Scott Sio Archer Holz/Sefo Kautai Bayley Kuenzle/ Rodney Iona Reesjan Pasitoa/Chris Feauai-Sautia Reece Tapine/Cam Clark Mack Hansen/Jesse Mogg The guys the Reds probably really wanted to keep are Rodda, Hocking, Lucas, Creighton, Carter Gordon and Paenga-Amosa. They haven't replaced those players with older guys. Apart from O'Connor they are quite youthful, even Hegarty has been moved on for younger options.
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
I’m probably missing some as well but: 1. Ruan Smith 2. BPA 3. Rodda 4. Hockings 5. CFS 6. Fa'agase 7. Vanzati 8. Ready 9. Kane Douglas (like the Brumbies locks he was in his 30s so not really comparable) 10. Higginbotham (as above) 11. Korczyk 12. Timu 13. Tuttle 14. Lance 15. Ben Lucas 16. Nabuli 17. Toua Carter, Douglas, Arnold were all over 30 when they left too from memory. Need to make a living. Unfortunately it looks to me like this is where we are - if a player is over 30 or not reliably making the 23 by the time they’re 23 or so they’re likely to move elsewhere for that opportunity. Fines for example was third choice halfback like Powel. I was really sorry to lose him but him staying third choice in Canberra would be a waste (although I think there was an argument he should have been second choice anyway).
jeznez
Roar Guru
Don’t know that comparing to the Tahs is actually something anyone wants to be doing. The fact you did kind of makes my point. I’m not sure the Reds have lost a similar number. Certainly not amongst guys that still have a lot in front of them at Super level. Paenga-Amosa, Rodda, Hocking, Lucas, Kerevi, Feauai-Sautia and Creighton come to mind. Are there too many others?
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
Most of those guys, Jez, are players that could easily start elsewhere and who at times didn’t make the 23. I’m not sure McKellar always backed the right horses can but can totally understand why most of them left. I’d say the Reds have lost as much? Ditto Tahs. Unfortunately I just think it is the way it goes now… Losing Fines, Pasitoa and Leulua’iali’i-Makin hurt the most actually. I share your concerns about lack of squad continuity in the Brumbies though.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
They all Canberra juniors Markus? No doubt the Brumbies franchise as been the best managed over the professional era. For me, Jez's real question is whether they are building (or maybe rebuilding?) a sustainable base in the ACT.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Move on little minded one.
Dave
Guest
Nothing to settle about mate, just got a different opinion You focus on the weekends games if you want, I’ll focus on what I want
Dave
Guest
Using that logic every kiwi in oz should negate on their contract He signed with the Brumbies all of two months ago, he got a better offer as a marquee player for Moana that he never would as a Brumby. It’s a pretty simple read between the lines. If it were about his family he wouldn’t have signed with the Brumbies at all Sorry forgot your the expert cause you’re from nz and know some islanders :laughing: what an absolute plodder
Bobby
Roar Rookie
The Mogg signing baffled me. He must of been a cheap pick up. Similar worh CFS (cheap I mean) but not too bad overall.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Can someone explain what happened to Caleb Clarke? Last year he was brilliant but he has not been present this season! Does he have a serious injury or is it a drastic lose of form?
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
C'mon Dave, settle down. There's a big rugby weekend coming up, it's time to focus on that.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
His wider family is in NZ , but okay you resort to insults, laughing back at you. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Dave
Guest
Good one champ ???? Your argument makes no sense, if family was his main motivation he would’ve have signed the initial Brumbies contract in the first place :laughing: Go back to scaffolding & garbage collection :laughing:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I agree your post is the dumbest, it just shows your intelligence level. :unhappy:
Dave
Guest
Since when has Kata been a “very top player”? Lol I’m kiwi and have island mates so I should know :laughing: :laughing: literally the dumbest thing I’ve read on here
moondoggie
Roar Rookie
He was solid without being outstanding. But the sort of player you want in your squad to keep the pressure up for starting positions. Disappointed to lose him as a Brumbies fan, but also applaud both parties for making a reasonable decision in the circumstances.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
The fact that States in OZ have more money to keep their star players opposed to Moana. Moana cannot afford the very top players, also NZRU and ARU will invest in their top players plus the best Island players are being handcuffed to their clubs up North. What basis do you have for your comment? The main fact though is family comes first for all Islanders, being a Kiwi I should know especially as a lot of my mates are Samoan, Tongan, Fijian and from the Cook Islands.
Dave
Guest
What basis are you using for that comment?