ACT Brumbies 2026

[Major Tom]

Larkham is hoping to have Lonergan back by mid-March so should not miss too much of the season hopefully. Schoupp is already back into pre-season doing live scrum work and contact sessions, he will be good to go for Round 1 it seems. McLeod will be the 12 is my guess, he will slot straight in and hopefully Feliuai can play 13 (if not Creighton or Sapsford). A centre partnership of McLeod and Feliuai (looked good at 13 in SRA) is a dangerous combination if they can make it work. Based on Larkham's comments it seems Edmed will be at 10, and then fullback will be a strong contest between Meredith, Muirhead, and Austin Anderson. Anderson will either be the starting fullback or the reserve 10 behind Edmed with Meredith playing fullback. The most interesting selection spot will be fullback, will he put a playmaker in Meredith/Anderson to replicate the attack under Tom Wright or play Muirhead with Toole and Sapsford on the wings. My best guess is:

9. Ryan Lonergan
10. Tane Edmed
11. Corey Toole
12. Jarrah McLeod
13. David Feliuai Lene
14. Ollie Sapsford
15. Declan Meredith

21. Klayton Thorn
22. Austin Anderson
23. Andy Muirhead

In terms of pure attack, this is the most exciting backline they can put together. McLeod will be a break-out star, with his size (192cm, 106kg), speed, and physicality he will cause trouble for most teams in the comp, and in my opinion is simply too good to be left out. Meredith will add a lot from fullback with good front-foot ball from this centre combination, and Anderson is a smart footballer who will cover 10, 12, 15 very well.

What's Mcleod like defensively?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Much more exciting with Meredith at 10 and Muirhead at 15. Edmed will stifle the backline imo whilst Meredith with an elusive running game will keep defences guessing.

I thought Anderson looked very good at 15 against Hong Kong. Inserted into the backline attack very effectively and importantly chased every high kick and put the receivers under pressure.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Larkham is hoping to have Lonergan back by mid-March so should not miss too much of the season hopefully. Schoupp is already back into pre-season doing live scrum work and contact sessions, he will be good to go for Round 1 it seems. McLeod will be the 12 is my guess, he will slot straight in and hopefully Feliuai can play 13 (if not Creighton or Sapsford). A centre partnership of McLeod and Feliuai (looked good at 13 in SRA) is a dangerous combination if they can make it work. Based on Larkham's comments it seems Edmed will be at 10, and then fullback will be a strong contest between Meredith, Muirhead, and Austin Anderson. Anderson will either be the starting fullback or the reserve 10 behind Edmed with Meredith playing fullback. The most interesting selection spot will be fullback, will he put a playmaker in Meredith/Anderson to replicate the attack under Tom Wright or play Muirhead with Toole and Sapsford on the wings. My best guess is:

9. Ryan Lonergan
10. Tane Edmed
11. Corey Toole
12. Jarrah McLeod
13. David Feliuai Lene
14. Ollie Sapsford
15. Declan Meredith

21. Klayton Thorn
22. Austin Anderson
23. Andy Muirhead

In terms of pure attack, this is the most exciting backline they can put together. McLeod will be a break-out star, with his size (192cm, 106kg), speed, and physicality he will cause trouble for most teams in the comp, and in my opinion is simply too good to be left out. Meredith will add a lot from fullback with good front-foot ball from this centre combination, and Anderson is a smart footballer who will cover 10, 12, 15 very well.

Having been on the EOYT, Edmed won't be expected to join training until the new year. He then has something like 5 or 6 weeks to regain fitness and learn the structures. Surely Meredith will start the first couple/few games at 10?

 

[Major Tom]

I thought Anderson looked very good at 15 against Hong Kong. Inserted into the backline attack very effectively and importantly chased every high kick and put the receivers under pressure.

Caveat, it was gong kong.

 

[Filipo Daugunu]

Having been on the EOYT, Edmed won't be expected to join training until the new year. He then has something like 5 or 6 weeks to regain fitness and learn the structures. Surely Meredith will start the first couple/few games at 10?

Meredith could well play 10 early on and throughout the season. Just reckon with Wright being injured they will want to replicate him at the back, and the closest player is Meredith. It seems from recent press conferences that Edmed is the first choice 10, and I expect that means Meredith will be at 15. Austin Anderson will push for both spots as well, and will likely cover both from the bench.

 

[Filipo Daugunu]

What's Mcleod like defensively?

He was good defensively in John I Dent, and was smashing blokes in that British and Irish Lions match for FNP. Did not have any issues in SRA either.