Departing ACT Brumbies captain Stephen Moore is adamant the club is set up up for future success despite a list of stars leaving Canberra, adding that he has made friends for life in the capital.
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Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham paid Moore the ultimate tribute, describing Australia's most capped Super Rugby player as one of the most passionate he has played with or coached.
Moore, Matt Toomua and Joseph Tomane leave massive holes in the Brumbies roster for the 2017 campaign while David Pocock is taking a 12-month sabbatical before returning.
Michael Wells (NSW Waratahs) and Michael Dowsett also join the list of players leaving town, while Albert Anae (Japan) and Ita Vaea (retired) have already left.
The Brumbies are set to bring in Saia and Anthony Faingaa, Kyle Godwin, Chris Alcock and Lolo Fakaosilea to bolster the squad while promoting young guns Jordan Jackson-Hope and Ryan Lonergan.
The Brumbies were devastated when they were knocked out of the finals by the Otago Highlanders on Friday night, ending a season that many thought was their best chance to win a title.
Larkham said the club's departing players deserved the accolades for leading the Brumbies charge.
"There's a time to remember who were here and the special group and special people we had here," Larkham said.
"Losing those guys are massive for this team. Our turnover of players, we're losing seven players which isn't that many compared to previous years where it's been up to 12.
"It's hard to see them going, but it's the state of rugby at the moment. Squeak [Moore] has been a massive driver of culture down here, he's going to be missed. They'll be missed. But it's very hard when you lose your captain.
"Especially when it's someone who is so influential in the organisation and the community. He's only ever looked out for the team, trying to make it the best team in the world. That's the legacy he leaves."
Moore leaves Canberra as one of the Brumbies' greatest players having joined the club in 2009, starting his family in the capital and being promoted to the Wallabies' captaincy.
He will join the Queensland Reds next year and is set to play until the 2019 World Cup, which will make him Australia's most capped Super Rugby player and potentially most-capped Test player.
"I've played in a lot of teams here that have been star-studded and haven't achieved what we wanted to, and the opposite as well when we did better than anyone expected," Moore said.
"It all comes down to the quality of the program and the culture around the place. I'm confident there are players here going forward who can carry that and make it a better place.
"You've got to keep improving and find a way to get better.
"It hits you at the end … I'm very proud to have been part of this great club and hopefully I've been a part of it in a positive way. I'll miss it a lot, the way the city has embraced me and my family … I'll never forget it.
"I've always tried to do what I think's best for the team and make it a better place."
Toomua, wholeaves to join English club Leicester, was recruited to Canberra as a schoolboy and established his career at the Brumbies.
Tomane will move to France to link with Montpellier and former Brumbies coach Jake White, while Pocock will step away from Australian rugby at the end of the year for a 12-month break.
BRUMBIES CHANGES
Departing: Stephen Moore (Queensland), David Pocock (sabbatical), Matt Toomua (Leicester), Joseph Tomane (Montpellier), Michael Wells (NSW Waratahs), Michael Dowsett (TBA), Ita Vaea (retired), Albert Anae (Japan).
Incoming: Saia Faingaa (Queensland), Chris Alcock (Western Force), Lolo Fakaosilea (Queensland), Jordan Jackson-Hope (Canberra), Ben Hyne (Tuggeranong), Ryan Lonergan (Tuggeranong), Robert Valetini (Melbourne).
On the radar: Kyle Godwin (Western Force), Anthony Faingaa (Queensland).
