A Canberra local and prominent member of the ACT rugby community for more than 40 years, Laurie Fisher has left an indelible mark.
After a long playing and coaching career in the local competition, including receiving ACT Coach of the Year honours in 1999, Laurie Fisher began his coaching career with the Brumbies in 2000 when he was appointed Head Coach of the Brumbies Rugby Academy. He later assumed control of the Brumby Runners and the Canberra Vikings, implementing a program to develop local talent to a level capable of competing for playing contracts with the Brumbies squad.
In 2003, Fisher was promoted to the Brumbies as forwards coach under David Nucifora, contributing to the team’s success as 2004 Super 12 Champions. In 2003 and 2004 he also held the position of Coach of the Australian under 21 team.
Well known for his beard, long hair and bucket hat, Fisher is regarded as a leading innovator in world rugby. He became Brumbies Head Coach in 2005, leaving the role in 2008 to take on a senior coaching role with Munster in Ireland. He would return to the Brumbies for the 2012 season in an assistant role, helping guide the team to the 2012 Super Rugby Finals, a win over the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and Super Rugby Semi Finals in 2014.
After another stint in the northern hemisphere, this time with Gloucester, Laurie Fisher returned to the Brumbies in 2017 where he would help the team to win the Super Rugby AU title in 2020 and make the Super Rugby semi finals in 2019 and 2022.
Joining the Wallabies coaching ranks for the 2022 Rugby Championships and Spring Tour, Laurie Fisher would return for a 15th and final season with the Brumbies in 2023. He was awarded the Garry Quinlivan Service to Rugby Award in 2023 recognising his long association with the Brumbies.