The NSW Waratahs spoiled the ACT Brumbies’ final pre-season trial at Marist College on Thursday, claiming a narrow 50–48 victory in a back-and-forth contest reminiscent of a heavyweight title fight. Both sides traded blows all afternoon in a frantic, sunbaked affair but the Brumbies will be left ruing mistakes and missed opportunities.
"We had the win behind us in the first half and we played territory pretty well," Larkham said.
"but we threw three intercepts in the game that they scored off."
"there's a few little things that we spoke about before the game. we'll review that and make sure that we can wash that of our game"
The Brumbies welcomed nine Wallabies back into the fold for the clash with their old rivals, bringing top-flight rugby to one of Canberra’s key rugby pathways and providing a final hit-out before the start of the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season.
Despite the sweltering 35-degree heat, the game was played at a lightning pace. The Waratahs struck first in the seventh minute when former Brumby Pete Samu launched a length-of-the-field counter, finding Max Jorgensen, who offloaded to Charlie Gamble to score under the posts. The Brumbies hit back in the 10th minute, as captain Ryan Lonergan’s quick tap set up Charlie Cale to score, though the conversion was missed, leaving it 7–5.
The seesaw continued. Gamble bagged his first-half double after scrappy ruck ball allowed the Tahs to drive over, with Jack Debreczeni adding the extras for a 14–5 lead. The Brumbies responded quickly, with slick handling releasing Cale down the left edge for his second try, narrowing the margin to 14–10. Lonergan then darted over himself and converted from out wide to put the Brumbies ahead 17–14 at the first water break.
The Waratahs regained control early in the second quarter, Jake Gordon sneaking through for a try to take a 19–17 lead. Kadin Pritchard, whose brother debuted for the Queensland Reds last week, looked lively all afternoon and showcased his pace to race down the left to score—only for Andrew Kellaway to respond for the visitors, stretching the score to 26–22. Samu intercepted soon after to extend the Tahs’ lead before half-time.
The Brumbies were then handed a man advantage when centre Joey Walton was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements—and they made it count right on the stroke of half-time. With space opening in the midfield, the Brumbies shifted quickly and sent Cale galloping through for his third of the afternoon, a fitting finish to a hot and frantic first half.
Both teams made sweeping changes at half-time, the Brumbies bringing on eight finishers to tackle the second stanza. The Waratahs’ fresh legs paid dividends early, capitalising on a loose kick to take a 38–29 lead. The Brumbies responded through Andy Muirhead in the 52nd minute, narrowing the gap to 38–36.
Two quick tries — through hooker Liam Bowron, back at his old school, and powerful young replacement prop Tevita Alatini — gave the Brumbies a 48–38 lead with ten to play.
A late yellow to Brumbies winger Kye Oates allowed the visitors to turn the tide. Triston Reilly scored in the vacant corner, closing the gap to 48–45. Ioane Moananu then struck in the dying minutes to seal the Waratahs’ 50–48 victory. Despite a late Brumbies surge, they couldn’t get one over their old rivals.
With the trial complete, the Brumbies now turn their attention to Round One, where they will take on the Western Force in Perth on 14 February.
"Certainly a good spectacle. great crowd. Marist is a great venue and this field was immaculate." Larkham said.
"the support out here for the players and the interaction after the game with all the fans and kids was amazing."
