“What we do in life... echoes in eternity.”
The ACT Brumbies have the opportunity to send not just echoes, but shockwaves through the competition when they face the table-topping Hurricanes in a do-or-die Qualifying Final on Friday night.
The men from the ACT journey to Wellington with a point to prove. Up-and-down results have been the story of the season, but this team knows what it takes to bring down Kiwi giants, having already recorded victories over the Crusaders, Chiefs, Blues and Highlanders in 2026.
Like gladiators entering the Colosseum, Head Coach Stephen Larkham has enlisted a squad of battle-hardened Brumbies to do a job in Wellington. Hooker Lachlan Lonergan and openside flanker Luke Reimer are promoted to the starting side, and outside back Ollie Sapsford returns for the finals showdown.
Captain Allan Alaalatoa will lead from the front, backed by on-field generals Ryan Lonergan, James Slipper, Andy Muirhead and Tom Wright. It’s the core of leadership who stands on the front line and commands their teammates to hold the line!
Lachlan Lonergan, Slipper and Alaalatoa pack down in a front row boasting over 400 Super Rugby appearances. Lachlan Shaw and Cadeyrn Neville are the tall timber in the pack, looking to out flank and out muscle at lineout time.
The back row of Rob Valetini, Reimer and Charlie Cale will be ordered to match the Hurricanes' physicality, with and without the ball. Cale made his injury comeback last week and will be looking to return to the try scoring form that had him cross nine times in seven games.
Declan Meredith once again runs the cutter in the 10 jersey and will direct his soldiers alongside halves partner Ryan Lonergan. The duo will look to create space and unleash the speed men in the high numbers out wide.
Centres David Feliuai and Hudson Creighton have warmed up their shoulders with one goal in mind – hit yellow jerseys and hit holes.
Corey Toole, fresh off signing a new two-year deal, links up with danger man Andy Muirhead on one wing and Tom Wright at the back. The back three has been threatening to break loose and what better time than a qualifying final to lay it all on the line.
The Brumbies bench is bolstered by the timely return of Sapsford, who has overcome a knee complaint to take his place among on the pine for Friday night's clash. Sapsford joins a bench packed with punch and precision. Forwards Billy Pollard, Nick Frost, Blake Schoupp and Rhys van Nek provide grit up front, while Klayton Thorn and Tane Edmed will look to lift the tempo in the closing stages. It's a group capable of changing the momentum of the contest, bringing both physicality and precision when it matters most.
The challenge is significant. The Hurricanes are the team to beat but never count out the Brumbies. With a place in the Semi-Finals on the line, Friday night presents another opportunity for this group to create a moment that will echo far beyond Wellington.
To Brumbies fans, both at home and in Wellington, we implore you to make yourselves heard. Pack the pubs, wear your colours, and at the kick-off signal, unleash hell!
