The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have unveiled a 32-man squad to take on the New South Wales Waratahs in Bowral on Saturday (3pm KO), the club’s first fixture in 2025.
All professionally contracted players named will feature for at least a third of the match as head coach Stephen Larkham assesses his squad ahead of the new season.
Six incoming players to this year’s Super Rugby Pacific squad are set to pull on the Brumbies jersey for the first time, including new signings Feao Fotuaika, Tuaina Taii-Tualima and David Feliuai in the starting lineup.
Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys Van Nek, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan, Ollie Sapsford and Corey Toole, who all toured England with Australia A in November, take their place in the squad. While Billy Pollard and Tom Hooper will also feature after being involved in the Wallabies Spring Tour to the UK. Hooper could line up alongside his brother, Lachlan, professionally for the first time in his career, as the latter makes the step up to the senior setup.
Head coach Larkham anticipates a tough test against the Waratahs as he gauges his squad ahead of Super Rugby Pacific.
“We’re really looking forward to this weekend’s fixture against the Waratahs and to get going in 2025,” Larkham said.
“It’s been a long and hard pre-season for us, but the boys have applied themselves well throughout. To finally have a match on the horizon is exciting and to add to the sense of occasion, it’s against our oldest and biggest rivals.
“This is the Waratahs final match ahead of the new season, so we know they will have a strong side out. Even though it is a Trial, and we’ll be trying different combinations on the field, we are treating it as an important game. We feel as though we have prepared as thoroughly as possible.”
Following this weekend’s fixture, the Brumbies have one more Trial match against the Western Force at Marist College next Friday (KO 2.00pm) before their first Super Rugby Pacific fixture in Suva against the Fijian Drua on Saturday 15th February.
Trial match – Saturday 1st February (3pm AEDT)
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies vs NSW Waratahs
Bowral Rugby Club, Burradoo, NSW 2576
Starting XV
- Blake Schoupp
- Liam Bowron
- Feao Fotuaika
- Lachlan Shaw
- Cadeyrn Neville
- Tuaina Taii-Tualima
- Luke Reimer
- Rory Scott
- Harrison Goddard
- Declan Meredith
- Ben O’Donnell
- David Feliuai
- Hudson Creighton
- Ollie Sapsford
- Andy Muirhead
Finishers:
Lington Ieli
Billy Pollard
Lachlan Lonergan
Timma Fainga’anuku
Rhys van Nek
Tom Hooper
Lachlan Hooper
Eli Langi
Jack Condon
Judah Saumaisue
Klayton Thorn
Ryan Lonergan
Jack Debreczeni
Corey Toole
Austin Anderson
Kadin Pritchard
Shane Wilcox
