 The advent of the ACT Brumbies and Super 12 in 1996 affected the Kookaburras' playing strength, with only one man from the previous grand final team available for the start of the 1996 season.Canberra were placed fifth in the regular season that year, and lost to Randwick in the elimination final.The Kookaburras were coached by Kim Thurbon in 1997, and by Ian Snook in 1998.