The Brumbies have signed former Waratahs lock Ben Hand for the next two Super 14 seasons.

The 26-year-old has spent the past season with Rugby Calvisano in Italy's Super 10 competition, having made his Super 14 debut for NSW in 2007.

Hand, who was awarded the inaugural NSW A forward of the year award in 2006, says he's looking forward to returning to Australia.

"While I've really enjoyed my time overseas, it wasn't a tough decision to come home to join the Brumbies," he said.

"I've always respected and enjoyed the way the Brumbies have played and I'm very pleased to be part of that next year."

The former Kings School student represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2001 before joining the NSW Waratah Academy in 2004.

Hand also captained the Western Sydney Rams to a semi-final berth in last year's Australian Rugby Championship.

"Ben's had some experience at Super 14 level and he's certainly plied his trade industriously at club level, during the ARC and APC (Australian Provincial Championship) and overseas," Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher said.

"He's a mature player with good size and an accomplished lineout jumper, and he'll challenge guys like (Mark) Chisholm, (Peter) Kimlin and (Sitaleki) Timani for a starting position in 2009."

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