Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies and Wallabies fly half Noah Lolesio will start Friday night’s vital Round 16 fixture against the Crusaders at GIO Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm).
The winner of this match will guarantee themselves a top two spot in the Smartech Super Rugby Pacific ladder, ensuring a home semi-final should they win next weekend’s qualifying final at home (which is already secured for both teams).
Lolesio, 25, was stretchered from the field in Round 13 against the Western Force with a back injury but has returned to fitness to take his place in the side.
Prop Feao Fotuaika and backrow Tuaina Taii Tualima also come into the starting lineup, with Tom Hooper moving to the second row to accommodate the latter at number eight.
Head coach Stephen Larkham stressed the significance of this must-win tie and the improvements the Christchurch-based team have made this season.
“We know the importance of finishing in the top two and securing that home semi-final, it puts you in a better position to go deep into the competition. However, we know there is still a lot of work to do before then,” Larkham said.
“The Crusaders have improved on their consistency from last year. They’ve had a few changes in terms of guys coming back from injury and performing. We’ll see a settled team and they’ll be trying to prepare a team that will see them all the way through the finals.”
On Lolesio, Larkham added: “Noah responded extremely positively to treatment. He got through his rehab and trained really well the back end of last week. He’s confident heading into this weekend and it’s great to have him back in the side.”
Second row Lachie Shaw and stand-off Declan Meredith drop to the bench, with Luke Reimer also returning as a replacement. He missed the 24-14 win over the Reds last time out due to concussion.
The Brumbies come into the match following a bye week and having previously been in fantastic form, winning our last three matches and conceding fewer than 20 points in each of those.
The home side are the third highest try scorers in the competition with 62, four behind Friday’s opposition, while we also lie top of the charts in terms of carries (1,809), rucks won (97%) and lineouts won (88.9%).
Wing Corey Toole has nine tries to his name this season and he has made the most line breaks of any player in the competition with 21. The match-up against opposite number Sevu Reece, who claimed the Super Rugby Pacific’s try-scoring record last weekend, is an intriguing one.
On the other wing, Andy Muirhead is the only player in this year’s competition to play every possible minute for their side.
Tickets for Friday night’s encounter are available here.
2025 Smartech Super Rugby Pacific Round 16 – Friday 30th May (7.35pm kick-off AEST)
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies vs Crusaders
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Starting XV
- James Slipper
- Billy Pollard
- Feao Fotuaika *
- Nick Frost
- Tom Hooper
- Rob Valetini
- Rory Scott
- Tuaina Taii Tualima*
- Ryan Lonergan
- Noah Lolesio*
- Corey Toole
- David Feliuai
- Len Ikitau
- Andy Muirhead
- Tom Wright
Finishers:
- Lachlan Lonergan
- Lington Ieli
- Rhys van Nek
- Lachlan Shaw
- Luke Reimer*
- Harrison Goddard
- Declan Meredith
- Ollie Sapsford
Injury list:
Short-term:
- Allan Alaalatoa- calf injury, projected return to play: qualifying final
- Tevita Alatini - ACL reconstruction rehabilitation, timeline one week
Long-term:
- Charlie Cale – lower back injury, timeline TBC
- Blake Schoupp – ruptured achilles, 8+ months
- Austin Anderson - jaw fracture, 3-5 weeks
