The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have confirmed their 23-man squad for the under-19s Grand Final this Sunday against the NSW Waratahs at Warringah Rugby Club (2pm kick-off).
The team will face the Waratahs for the second week in a row, following the 68-34 loss last weekend at Viking Park.
Head coach Lachie Creighton has shuffled his pack, making six changes to the starting side, as they seek a third consecutive title in the under-19s competition.
Billy Hansen, Bailey Bouquiaux, Sam Watson and Riley Whitfield all return to start with Jacob Johnson moving to his usual position at fullback and Paddy McInally starting on the right wing.
Head coach Lachie Creighton expressed how excited his team was at the prospect of making history for the club.
“We've learned a lot about ourselves in the last four weeks and it's led us to a Grand Final in Sydney,” Creighton said.
“It's our second Tah week in a row with a trophy at the conclusion of Sunday. Our lads can't wait to pull the Brumbies jumper on and represent our club with distinction and create a little piece of history for themselves.”
The squad will feature the same front row as the first three rounds with Nate Hepi, Ewald Kruger and Lochlan Smith. Kruger sits second in the competition for most tries scored with four, while Smith was named in the Round 3 Super Rugby U19s team of the week.
Hansen returns to support Jack Gordon in the second row, with Bouquiaux moving back into the openside position alongside captain Eli Langi and Cooper Eagle. Following the last round, Eagle extended his dominance in the competition with the most successful tackles made (48).
In the halves pairing, Sam Watson returns to the scrum-half position alongside Chace Oates, who is currently third in the competition for most points scored, with 25 to his name.
Winger Blake Miller and centre Dylan Bretton retain their starting positions with centre Whitfield, McInally and Johnson joining them to round out the starting 15.
Ben Martens, Charlie Baker, Marley Ngatai, Harvey McLean and Laquan Afamiliona, who featured in last weekend's match, make their way onto the bench. They are joined by front rowers Will Hodge, Jeziah Sega and Wagga City flanker Tyler Byrne, who is set to make his competition debut.
Watch the game live on YouTube or on Stan Sport
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs
Warringah Rugby Club, 1472 Pittwater Rd, Warriewood NSW 2102
Starting XV
1. Nate Hepi
2. Ewald Kruger
3. Lochlan Smith
4. Jack Gordon
5. Billy Hansen (vc)
6. Cooper Eagle
7. Bailey Bouquiaux
8. Eli Langi (c)
9. Sam Watson
10. Chace Oates (vc)
11. Blake Miller
12. Dylan Bretton
13. Riley Whitfeld
14. Paddy McInally
15. Jacob Johnson
Impact:
16. Will Hodge
17. Jeziah Sega
18. Tyler Byrne
19. Ben Martens
20. Charlie Baker
21. Marley Ngatai
22. Harvey McLean
23. Laquan Afamiliona
