Banks Locked In Until 2022

Fullback Tom Banks has put pen-to-paper on a new three-year deal to re-sign with Rugby Australia and the Brumbies until the end of 2022.

 
The 24-year old made his Wallabies debut against New Zealand at Eden Park last year after a standout Super Rugby campaign for the Brumbies.

 
Likened to Wallabies great Chris Latham, the elusive fullback will be looking to secure his ticket to Japan later this year as part of Michael Cheika’s Rugby World Cup squad.

 
“It’s something I have really wanted to do, play for the Wallabies and play for the Brumbies. I think signing a longer term deal allows me to do that and gives me confidence and it’s pretty exciting moving forward,” Banks said.
 

“I like where the team is going and I like the players that are involved. I think we can build something special and that really appealed to me.

 
“The fact that the World Cup is coming up is always on your mind but you have to put that aside and just try to play your best footy at club level which is what I need to do to get in the frame for Wallabies selection,” Banks said.

 
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: “Tom has shown himself to be a player who is ready to step up to Test standard.

 
“He plays in a very competitive position and his consistency, commitment and performances in the back half of last year put him into a Test jersey for small patches.

 
“By re-signing with the Brumbies he has shown that he is committed to become a Test match regular and I am looking forward to watching his performances back that up”, Cheika said.

Banks top-scored for the Brumbies in their 2018 campaign with nine tries, the most by a Brumby since Stirling Mortlock achieved the same number in 2006.

“We are very pleased to have Banksy re-commit to the Brumbies,” Brumbies Head Coach Dan McKellar commented. “He had a breakthrough year last year on the back of his debut season in 2017 and is a very good player who still has an enormous amount of growth in his game. We are excited to have Tom here for the next four years.

 
“He’s got very good natural instincts and, he sees space well. He works hard off the ball and wants to be in the game. Toms talent, ability and vision are complimented by his genuine speed and these qualities make him an important player to us.”

Banks kicks-off his Brumbies’ Super Rugby season against the Melbourne Rebels in Canberra next month at GIO Stadium.