Renowned for his leadership abilities amongst an increasingly capable Melbourne Rebels outfit, Scott Fuglistaller has continued to prove his worth both on and off the field.
At 28 years of age, his seemingly short Super Rugby career so far has already been full of highlights.
Born in Hawera New Zealand, Scott’s rugby career started, unsurprisingly, during his school days where he was part of the first XV rugby at Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth.
Leaving his home town to study a degree in human resources and management, Scott continued his rugby at Club level in Wellington. He played 54 games for Wellington’s NPC side from 2008, before making his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders in 2012.
With just two appearances for the Highlanders off the bench, the opportunity to showcase his form and cement a spot in an Australian team was too good to turn down.
Making the shift across the ditch, Scott put pen to paper with Melbourne Rebels for the 2013 season. In his first game for his new Aussie Club, Scott ran on as the starting openside flanker in round one against the Western Force, a game the Rebels won 30-23.
His decision to seek further opportunities in rugby had paid off with plenty coming his way in 2013, including his first Super Rugby try and the once in a lifetime opportunity to face the British & Irish Lions.
He played in every game for the Rebels in his opening year, a sign of the team’s trust in their adopted Kiwi flanker. Scott repaid the faith, demonstrating strong form and passion, qualities that earned him the Club’s Spirit of Weary Dunlop Award at the end of just his first season.
Scott has since notched 21 games for the side, missing just two matches since his move to Melbourne, with all three of his Super Rugby five-pointers scored whilst at his new Club.
Like many players in the Rebels team, Scott seems to be enjoying his time in Melbourne, signing on the dotted line again last year to seal an extension with the team until the end of the 2016 Super Rugby season.
With a son of his own, Scott’s maturity and guidance saw him appointed to the leadership group in just his second year with the Melbourne Rebels, as a key figure within the young squad.
Earlier this year he was named as the Melbourne Rebels Co-Captain, alongside prized leader, Scott Higginbotham for the 2015 season.
He’s already represented New Zealand at the Under 19s in 2006, but Scott will become eligible to represent the Wallabies this September, after three consecutive years in Australia.
