The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have handed scrum half Dan Nelson a permanent Super Rugby Pacific contract until the end of 2027.
Nelson, 21, is a graduate from the Brumbies Academy and has been a regular for the Canberra Royals this season in the local John I Dent Cup competition, scoring seven tries.
Having yesterday been named in our squad for the upcoming Super Rugby Aus competition, the Sydney-born scrum half was delighted to get the call-up to the Super Rugby Pacific squad and is hoping to show the coaches what he can do next season.
“I’m super grateful to receive this opportunity and repay the faith the coaching staff have put in me,” Nelson said.
“It’s been a dream of mine for quite some time to represent the Brumbies. I’m really looking forward to ripping in with the boys for the next couple years.”
Nelson grew up in Willoughby, Sydney and started playing rugby at the age of five, representing Wahroonga Tigers in his junior career while going on to attend St Ignatius’ College Riverview.
The 21-year-old moved down to Canberra for the Super Rugby U19s competition in 2023 and was a crucial part of that side that went on to win the title, defeating the Waratahs 20-12 in the Grand Final.
Nelson featured for Australia U20s in last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship, scoring a try in the fifth-place semi-final against Wales in Stellenbosch.
The scrum half replaces the recently departed Harrison Goddard in the squad, who is set to continue his rugby journey in Japan.
General Manager of Professional Rugby & Pathways Cam Treloar paid tribute to Nelson’s talent and growth potential as part of the Brumbies squad.
“Dan is an awesome rugby player and has impressed the coaches ever since he arrived in Canberra,” Treloar said.
“He’s very talented and will provide competition for places alongside Ryan (Lonergan) and Klayton (Thorn) in that position.
“We’re excited to see Dan develop further being a part of our group over the next couple of years.”