The ACT Brumbies have announced the signing of lock Aiden Stait on a three year deal, keeping him at the club until 2029.

Born in Bathurst, Strait is a former under 19 Rugby League player who switched to Union in 2022 and has spent time honing his craft in the French Top 14.

Standing at 203 cm tall and 130kg, ACT Brumbies Head Coach Stephen Larkham said you simply can’t coach his size and power, and those attributes give him an incredibly high ceiling.

“What excites us most is that he’s recognised where he needs to be to take the next step” Larkham said.

“He’s had a valuable experience overseas, but he’s still at the beginning of his rugby journey and we believe our environment is the best place for him to develop into a Super Rugby player and continue building towards becoming a player who can perform at the highest level.”

Stait said returning to Australia was an easy decision after speaking with the Brumbies coaching staff.

“France was a great experience and it challenged me in a lot of ways, but I felt the best place for me to continue developing was back in Australia with the Brumbies,” Stait said.

“The conversations with the coaches really stood out. They were honest about where my game is at and what I need to improve, but they also showed me a clear pathway for how I can get there.”

Stait will join the Brumbies ahead of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, adding another imposing presence to the club’s forward stocks as he embarks on the next chapter of his rugby odyssey.