ACT Brumbies 2026

[Caputo]

I reckon something like:

Slipper / Schoup / Ieli
Pollard / Bowron / Lonergan / Ata
Ala'alatoa / Alatini / Van Nek / Fotuaika
Frost / McPherson / Cordukes
Shaw / Neville
Valetini / Langi
Scott / Reimer
Cale / Tualima
Lonergan / Thorne / Nelson
Meredith / Edmed
Toole / Oates
Feluai'i / Anderson / McCloud
Creighton / Pritchard / Enasio
Muirhead / Sapsford
Wright / Wilcox

Would love to see them get Angus Staniforth back. Could do with one more experienced backrower too, ideally a ball carrier. Probably a year or two too soon for Morrison & Langi imo.

Looking for some clues from Super R OZ 25. After taking out Wallaby & injured. Here are some names to consider & possible EDS.

Not including this years Aus Under 20

LHP - Vaotangi Mafi. Mafi 24year from Sydney west came down for Pre season 25 and stayed year in JID Cup.
Hooker - Chris Mickelson. Mickelson is 22 from Uni/North who had 2024 in MLR.
THP - Position is stacked but Te Huia Kutia as support. 25 year THP from NZ's Thames Valley and NZ Heartland Rep. Aus Barbarian & Uni/North.
Locks - Recent 2024 Aus Under 20 in Harvey Cordukes
Backrow - Judah Saumaisue has a Brumby cap in 2025
Backs - Qld connection in Oates clan gives Fullback & Fly Half coverage and Nathan Carroll has been in and about Brumby Squad since 2022. Contract in 2023 and regular Brumby Runners as outside back.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Saumasue was listed in the Brumbies squad this year but doesn't appear to have been extended at this stage. Good prospect, but might elect to play for Fiji, I think.

 

[Rudderless]

Live on BarTV Sports this Saturday and Sunday

 

[Merrow]

Let’s go Owls

 

[Caputo]

Indeed Royals 19 - Owls 59. Inside Centre known as Name Withheld sores a Hat Trick of Tries.

 

[Homer]

Owls will be annoyed that Van Nek has been flown to SA after dominating Royals scrum. Hope they can get him back in time for the GF.

 

[Merrow]

Owls will be annoyed that Van Nek has been flown to SA after dominating Royals scrum. Hope they can get him back in time for the GF.

Lucky they’ve got the week off. He might be able to get back in time. He’s been epic

 

[Wallaby Way]

Dan Nelson signed for 2 seasons.

Brumbies sign scrum half Nelson until 2027

brumbies.rugby

 

[Rudderless]

Live on BarTV Sport tomorrow

 

[Caputo]

The have left out the newly signed Super Pacific in McLeod & Nelson as well as the Super Oz in Langi, Fogarty & Oates.

 

[Homer]

Owls v Vikings. Would be great to see the Owls get their first GF in forever, two good 5/8s battling it out as well. Owls will need to get on top up front but they have a great back five with Macpherson, Cordukes and Neville. Macpherson's try off the kick-off last week hasn't got enough attention. Better than Frosts in the U20 WC.

 

[Uh huh]

Promising signs from Edmed's performance last night I reckon. I'm excited about the prospect of Feliuai, Sapsford and McLeod taking turns running off his shoulders next year.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Whats the plan with Wright most likely going to miss a big part of the year with his ACL. They haven't said if he's having surgery on it yet but have to think he will.

Is it Muirhead like the Lions game? Big drop off as most sides would face when you lose a starting Wallaby. It put the Reds in my mind anyway as the top Aus side considering the Brums are now down Wright and Noah.

 

[Tomthumb]

Does Lancaster come into consideration with Wright potentially on the shelf for 2026?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Maybe. Could do a lot worse but it's the 15 that's the problem. Wilcox has history in the position but no Super Rugby experience. I know Toole is such a weapon on the Wing but there's also something exciting about him with more space and he has time there in the JID right?

Muirhead is the safe option right now but he's limited and no doubt a game plan change. Is Edmed an option with Meredith at 10...

 

[Tomthumb]

Yeah, I'd say the other way round is more likely considering Meredith's played quite a bit at 15. Sucks for the Brumbies and for Wright, but gives another guy a chance to step up

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Didn't know that but makes sense seeing how he plays.

If any side is going to handle it and it look like business as usual it'll be the Brums though. Jack Deb pick up the phone for a Nic White Wallabies type return. Send up the Deb signal

 

[Tomthumb]

Yeah, Going to be a big year from Bernie and his staff considering how much talent they have lost from this year

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Couple of these years have the potential to set up the next 5-6 though with raw bodies sitting below the established XV. Depth in the tight 5 can take you a long way.

 

[Uh huh]

Muirhead or Meredith will get first crack I expect. Toole is an interesting option though.

While I'm on board with trying to sign Lancaster regardless, if Wright is out for most or all of the season as expected, we could always see what Tom Banks is up to? Perhaps he's had enough of sushi and efficient public transport, and is ready to come home.