The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have announced their matchday 23s for both the under-16s (1pm kick-off) and under-19s (3pm kick-off) for Saturday’s triple header against the NSW Waratahs at Viking Park.
For the U19s, both teams will go into the match with their unbeaten records on the line, and regardless of the result, they will both take each other on again next week in the in Perth.
The Brumbies, who are looking to win the competition for the third consecutive time, make eight changes from the 35-17 win over the Western Force at Tompkins Park last Saturday, with leader Eli Langi once again named as captain.
Head coach Lachie Creighton was looking forward to his side playing on home soil at Viking Park, having played the first two rounds away from home.
"It’s not often we get back to back Tah weeks, but our boys have earned that through two pleasing results on the road," Creighton said.
"We’re now at home, playing in front of the Canberra rugby community and most importantly family and friends, which is always special at this level
There are two changes in the pack, with Ben Martens replacing Billy Hansen at lock and Charlie Baker coming in for Bailey Bouquiaux at openside flanker.
The starting front row is the same as the opening two games, with Nate Hepi. Ewald Kruger and Lochlan Smith forming a formidable front row.
In the second row, the ever-present Jack Gordon lines up alongside Martens. While in the backrow, Cooper Eagle takes his place at blindside flanker alongside Baker and Langi. Eagle registered a try last week and has made the most successful tackles in the competition so far with 32.
In the backs, fly half Chace Oates, who was named in the Super Rugby under-19s team of the week, is the only player to retain his place. Scrum half Marley Ngatai, centre Laquan Afamiliona, wing Matthew Ribot and full back Harvey Mclean will make their first starts in the competition.
Centre Dylan Bretton and wing Blake Miller come back into the side, having started the Round 1 26-17 win against the Reds at Ballymore Stadium.
The front row replacements remain consistent with the previous two rounds, with Will Hodge, Jeziah Sega and Brad Patmore looking to make an impact in the second period.
Thomas Alloggia and Uli Latukefu are the remaining two substitute forwards, with the latter set to make his first appearance in the competition.
For the backs replacements, scrum half Grady Woolley could also appear in the competition for the first time, while Jacob Johnson and Paddy McInally drop to the bench having started the win over Western Force in Perth.
Tickets are available for our Super Rugby AUS, U19s and U16s triple header against rivals NSW Waratahs at Viking Park on Saturday here
2025 Super Rugby under-19s Round 2 – Saturday 27 September (3pm kick-off AEST)
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies vs NSW Waratahs
Viking Park, 4 Amsinck Street, Wanniassa, ACT 2903
Starting XV
- Nate Hepi
- Ewald Kruger
- Lochlan Smith
- Jack Gordon
- Ben Martens
- Cooper Eagle
- Charlie Baker
- Eli Langi (c)
- Marley Ngatai
- Chace Oates (vc)
- Blake Miller
- Dylan Bretton
- Laquan Afamiliona
- Matthew Ribot
- Harvey Mclean
Impact:
16. Will Hodge
17. Jeziah Sega
18. Brad Patmore
19. Thomas Alloggia
20. Uli Latukefu
21. Grady Woolley
22. Jacob Johnson
23. Paddy McInally
Brumbies under-16s squad named for opening fixture against Waratahs
The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have confirmed their under-16s squad for their opening Super Rugby fixture against the NSW Waratahs at Viking Park on Saturday (1pm kick-off).
The match will serve as part of an epic triple header, alongside the under-19s and Super Rugby AUS matches.
Four players from the 2024 squad return to headline the matchday 23, including the entire front row. Geoff Olivetti – who made three appearances last year – will pack down alongside St Edmund’s player Levi Park and Marist College teammate Sam Filipovic.
Daramalan lock Cooper Leslie is set to captain the side, following a stellar campaign for his school. Leslie recently featured in the under-18’s First XV final against Marist. He is partnered in the second row by St Edmund’s product Jack Maguire.
The loose trio features plenty of blue, with Patrick Hill and Will Bullock of Marist set to line up alongside Ezra Taiatini of St Edmund’s.
Head coach Paul Mead spoke about the squad’s preparation for the competition and was looking forward to being a part of the same event as the U19s and Super Rugby AUS.
“We’re excited to be a part of this huge triple header at Viking Park against the Waratahs on Saturday,” Mead said.
“The coaching group were really encouraged by what we saw in our trial against Victoria last weekend and we just lost out right at the death.
“We know the opposition will be strong this weekend, with them having won the last three U16s competitions, but the boys have trained well in the lead up to the game and are really up for it."
A Leeton product, Oscar Brady – one of three players in the wider squad from regional NSW – will start at scrum half. He’s set to link up with promising young fly-half Siliva Mataupu.
The St Edmund’s influence will spread to both wings, with Cayden Cross and Henry Farfan set to start on either flank.
Kaleb Matthews (St Edmund’s) and Jesse Thorp (Canberra Grammar) will combine in the centres following strong seasons at school level.
Marist’s Oliver Henderson will start at fullback to round out the starting XV.
The bench features players from a combination of schools and clubs. Griffith product Oscar Dossetor returns, having played in 2024, alongside Daramalan’s Leighton Luteru and Grammar’s Huntah-Max Robinson.
There is plenty of Daramalan representation on the pine, with Harrison McIntyre, Tommy Conolly and Charlie Ravouvou all set to have an impact in the second half. Ben Callaway of Marist will be eager to exploit tiring bodies as the match progresses.
2025 Super Rugby Under-16s Round 1 – Saturday 27 September (1pm kick-off AEST)
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies vs NSW Waratahs
Viking Park, 4 Amsinck Street, Wanniassa, ACT 2903
Starting XV
- Geoff Olivetti
- Levi Park
- Sam Filipovic
- Cooper Leslie ©
- Jack Maguire
- Patrick Hill
- Will Bullock
- Ezra Taiatini
- Oscar Brady
- Siliva Mataupu
- Cayden Cross
- Kaleb Matthews
- Jesse Thorp
- Henry Farfan
- Oliver Henderson
Impact:
16. Elliott Brown
17. Oscar Dossetor
18. Leighton Luteru
19. Huntah-max Robinson
20. Harrison McIntyre
21. Ben Callaway
22. Tommy Connolly
23. Charlie Ravouvou
