Friends for Life: Angus Wagner

Angus Wagner: Rugby’s Rising Star

Angus Wagner (2010 Alumni) moved to Canberra in 2017 to pursue a career in Rugby Union, securing the position as a front-rower for the Tuggeranong Vikings. Angus would split his time between Rugby and studying Business at the University of Canberra where he had been awarded the George Gregan Scholarship. 

When asked of his earliest memories playing Rugby, Angus says “Playing rugby at Toowoomba Prep in the U8s, my dad was the coach and I don’t think we could play contact until U10s. I was a pretty big kid back then and dad bumped me up to U10s and gave me a go. I actually came from Rugby League and all of the parents were complaining that I was too big when I was actually two years younger than everyone!”

12 years later, he never imagined he would go from playing in front of a few hundred people at Viking Park in Canberra to jumping on a plane to an International Super Rugby Final in front of 50,000 people in Argentina. 

Following his Super Rugby debut and time with the ACT Brumbies Squad, Angus was recruited by the Western Force towards the end of 2019 and moved to Perth. He was excited to start the 2020 Super Rugby AU season but unfortunately tore his hamstring in his third game. Angus says he is grateful for the opportunities the Force has presented to him and is looking forward to continuing to develop and grow for another two years in the west. “Getting my first cap this year was amazing, you really feel like you’re a part of something when you get that. I’m very grateful for that opportunity,” he said.

Force Head coach Tim Samson said “in just his first season at the club, we were really impressed with Angus’s growth in all areas of his game. The timing of his injury in the recent Super Rugby AU tournament was unfortunate, as he started the competition really well, but it is fantastic that Angus has committed to the club and we are looking forward to his game continuing to develop over the coming years.”