The ACT Brumbies have named their squad for the upcoming Super Rugby Under-19s tournament as they look for a third consecutive win in the competition.
The side lifted back-to-back trophies in November last year after defeating the Reds 40-31 on their turf at Ballymore Stadium in the Grand Final.
Three players from last year’s squad, Billy Hansen, Jack Gordon and Bailey Bouquiaux, are included this time round. 18-year-old Eli Langi, who appeared in all of Australia’s matches at the recent World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, takes his place in the squad.
U19s head coach Lachie Creighton was delighted with the talent he was able to select in his squad to represent the Brumbies jersey.
"We’re thrilled with the make up of our squad, with over 70% having current or previous Premier First Grade playing experience and the majority playing in our local ACT competition," Creighton said.
"We’re a new coaching & management team, with a new crop of players, who’ll come together well, work hard for one another, and earn the opportunity to represent the Brumbies family."
Hooker Ewald Kruger took his place in the Australia U18s set-up last year and is named among the forwards. While the son of former Brumby Damien McInally, Paddy McInally, is named as one of the backs.
As previously mentioned, many of the squad have featured regularly in First Grade of this year’s John I Dent Cup competition, such as fly half Chace Oates, brother of Kye, who has scored 77 points for the Canberra Royals this season.
Further players will be added to the squad over the coming weeks as the local club finals competitions conclude.
The Brumbies U19s begin their campaign back at Ballymore Stadium against the Reds on Sunday 14th September, before travelling to Perth to face the Force the following weekend. They will then round off the regular season as part of a triple header at Viking Park on Saturday 27th September.
2025 Brumbies U19s squad (name, club)
Forwards:
Ewald Kruger, Queanbeyan Whites
Will Hodge, Uni-Norths Owls
Nate Hepi, Queanbeyan Whites
Jeziah Sega, Gungahlin Eagles
Lochlan Smith, Queanbeyan Whites
Brad Patmore, Gungahlin Eagles
Justin Amituanai, Sydney University
Billy Hansen, Uni-Norths Owls
Uli Latukefu, Uni-Norths Owls
Jack Gordon, Queanbeyan Whites
Ben Martens, Uni-Norths Owls
Eli Langi, Tuggeranong Vikings
Bailey Bouquiaux, Canberra Royals
Cooper Eagle, Canberra Royals
Backs:
Sam Watson, Wests Lions
Grady Woolley, Gungahlin Eagles
Marley Ngatai, Tuggeranong Vikings
Chace Oates, Canberra Royals
Harvey McLean, Uni-Norths Owls
Dylan Bretton, Wests Lions
Laquan Afamiliona, Tuggeranong Vikings
Riley Whitfield, Warringah Rats
Matthew Ribot, GPS
Ed Lyons, Melbourne Harlequins
Blake Miller, Queanbeyan Whites
Paddy McInally, Canberra Royals
Jacob Johnston, Wests Lions
ACT Brumbies: 2025 U19s fixtures:
Sunday 14th September, Reds vs Brumbies, kick-off 1pm, Ballymore Stadium
Sunday 21st September, Force vs Brumbies, kick-off 12pm, Palmyra Rugby Club
Saturday 27th September, Brumbies vs Waratahs, kick-off 3pm, Viking Park
