The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have confirmed their Under-19s squad for their opening Super Rugby U19s fixture against the Reds at Ballymore Stadium on Sunday (1pm kick-off AEST).
The squad features a host of academy players, captained by Australian U20s back rower Eli Langi. The Canberrans are chasing a third consecutive U19s title following back-to-back successes in 2023 and 2024.
Three players from last year’s squad, locks Billy Hanson and Jack Gordon, as well as Royals’ Bailey Bouquiaux are set to start, earning another opportunity to display their development.
Former U18s Australian hooker Ewald Kruger will pack down alongside Whites teammates Nate Hepi and Lochlan Smith in an all-Queanbeyan front row.
Bouquiaux will be joined in the back row by Royals teammate Cooper Eagles, who form a formidable trio with skipper Langi.
Coach Lachie Creighton spoke about the connection within the group despite a relatively short lead-in.
“The squad has come together really quickly, and those connections are clear to see. There’s obviously plenty of talent in the squad and all of the boys are excited to pull on that Brumbies jersey.
“We had a really good camp out at HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay where the buy in was apparent. I’ve been impressed by the attitude and professionalism of the squad and I think the camp really highlighted that.”
Ballymore will hold no fear for the Brumbies, who defeated the Reds at the same venue in last year’s final.
The halves combination features two of the rising stars of the Bentspoke John I Dent Cup, with Wests’ Sam Watson partnering with Chase Oates of the Canberra Royals. Fly-half Oates, brother of Brumbies’ outside back Kye, tallied an impressive 77 points in his first season in the competition.
Queanbeyan’s Blake Millar, who also enjoyed a stellar John I Dent Cup campaign, will start on one wing, with the flying Zander Ward on the other.
Wests’ speedster Dylan Bretton will form an exciting centre combination with Riley Whitfield of the Warringah Rats on his outside. Fullback Jacob Johnson rounds out the starting XV after a first full season of senior footy.
The bench isn’t light on talent either, with Eagles front rowers Brad Patmore and Jeziah Sega sure to add punch in the second half. They are joined by Will Hodge, Thomas Alloggia, and Charlie Baker as the impact forwards. Marley Ngatai, Paddy McInally, and Matthew Ribot will look to capitalise on the opposition’s fatigue in closing out the match.
Starting XV
1 Nate Hepi
2 Ewald Kruger
3 Lochlan Smith
4 Jack Gordon
5 Billy Hansen
6 Cooper Eagle
7 Bailey Bouquiaux
8 Eli Langi (C)
9 Sam Watson
10 Chace Oates
11 Blake Miller
12 Dylan Bretton
13 Riley Whitfeld
14 Zander Ward
15 Jacob Johnston
Finishers
16 Will Hodge
17 Jeziah Sega
18 Brad Patmore
19 Thomas Alloggia
20 Charlie Baker
21 Marley Ngatai
22 Paddy McInally
23 Matthew Ribot
ACT Brumbies: 2025 U19s fixtures:
Sunday 14th September, Reds vs Brumbies, kick-off 1pm, Ballymore Stadium
Saturday 20th September, Force vs Brumbies, kick-off 12pm, Palmyra Rugby Club
Saturday 27th September, Brumbies vs Waratahs, kick-off 3pm, Viking Park
