Tane Edmed gets the nod at fly-half and gets his first chance to don Brumbies colours in the team’s first trial in Perth on Friday, 30 January, ahead of the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific Season.
Head Coach Stephen Larkham has named a squad featuring a mix of established Super Rugby players, Wallabies, and boom rookies. The head coach has dangled opportunities for all players to stake their claim for playing time in this trial, with one eye on Round 1 of the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season on 14 February, also against the Force in Perth.
Declan Meredith moves from his usual fly-half role to start at fullback, giving the team extra playmaking options with star fullback Tom Wright still on the mend.
In the forwards, Lington Leli and Rhys van Nek will start at prop, stepping in for James Slipper (rested) and Allan Alaalatoa (managing an injury) after recent stints with Australia A. Chris Mickelson earns the hooker jersey following a standout season in the John I Dent Cup, where he took home the Macdougall Medal.
The locks Harvey Cordukes and Lachlan Shaw form a towering second row pairing, while the backrow bruisers of Tuaina Taii Tualima, Rory Scott, and Charlie Cale combines physicality, relentless work rate, and attacking threat.
At halfback, Klayton Thorn will link with Edmed, looking to spark the enticing Brumbies backline. Outside backs Kye Oates and Shane Wilcox take the wings, with Oates bringing his experience from last year’s First Nations & Pasifika XV clash against the British & Irish Lions.
In midfield, the dynamic Jarrah McLeod continues his rapid rise alongside the dependable Hudson Creighton at outside centre, both eager to show their wares in a midfield without the likes of Len Ikitau in 2026.
Fans won’t want to miss this chance to see the new-look Brumbies in action, with the trial match live streamed via the Western Force Facebook page from Perth.
Match Details
ACT Brumbies v Western Force – Trial Match Date: Friday, 30 January Time: 7.35PM AEDT Location: Scotch College Playing Fields, Swanbourne Live Stream: Western Force Facebook
ACT Brumbies vs. Western Force
- LOOSEHEAD PROP - Lington Ieli
- HOOKER - Chris Mickelson
- TIGHTHEAD PROP - Rhys van Nek
- LEFT LOCK - Lachlan Shaw
- RIGHT LOCK - Harvey Cordukes
- LEFT FLANKER - Tuaina Tualima
- RIGHT FLANKER - Rory Scott
- NUMBER EIGHT - Charlie Cale
- SCRUMHALF - Klayton Thorn
- FLYHALF - Tane Edmed
- LEFT WING - Kye Oates
- INSIDE CENTRE - Jarrah McLeod
- OUTSIDE CENTRE - Hudson Creighton
- RIGHT WING - Shane Wilcox
- FULLBACK - Declan Meredith
Replacements
16. Liam Bowron 17. Blake Schoupp 18. Tevita Alatini 19. Cadeyrn Neville 20. Eli Langi 21. Dan Nelson 22. Andy Muirhead 23. Kadin Pritchard 24. Moses Sorovi 25. Austin Anderson 26. Toby Macpherson 27. Judah Saumaisue 28. Darcy Breen
