AAC Moving to Sydney

Brumbies and Wallabies back Adam Ashley-Cooper has confirmed he will head to Sydney next season to join the HSBC Waratahs on a two-year deal.

The versatile back signed with the Australian Rugby Union in February but has taken time to decide on his future Super Rugby franchise, eventually settling on the HSBC Waratahs for personal reasons.

Ashley-Cooper debuted for the Brumbies in 2005 and went on to make his Test debut in unusual circumstances later that year. After not initially being in the squad for the game against South Africa, Ashley-Cooper was summoned onto the bench after an injury in the warm up, and wound up becoming the 800th player to represent Australia in Tests when called onto the field.

The versatile back has missed just four of the 43 Tests played by Australia since the start of 2008, last year becoming the 35th Australian to play 50 Test matches when he hit that mark during the win over Italy in Florence.

A product of Berkeley Vale High School on the NSW Central Coast, Ashley-Cooper has always played his club Rugby with Northern Suburbs. He brought up his 67th appearance for the Brumbies against the HSBC Waratahs on Saturday night.

** Young centre Tom Kingston has also committed to the HSBC Waratahs for the next two years. Kingston has been one of the stars for the HSBC Junior Waratahs in the 2011 ‘A’ Program since being brought into the Super Rugby squad earlier this year.

ADAM ASHLEY-COOPER

Position: Utility Back

Physical: 182cm, 98kg

Born: 27.03.84, Sydney NSW

Club: Northern Suburbs

State Caps: 67

State Points: 65 [13t]

State Debut: 2005 v Crusaders [Brumbies]

Super Rugby Caps: 67

Super Rugby Points: 65 [13t]

Super Rugby Debut: 2005 v Crusaders [Brumbies]

Test Caps: 51

Test Points: 80 [16t]

Test Debut: 2005 v South Africa

TOM KINGSTON

Position: Centre/Wing

Physical: 190cm, 90kg

Born: 19.06.91, Sydney NSW

Club: Sydney University

State Caps: 0