Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
There is a bit of a rumour he has signed with another Australian side, so it's probably a case of watch this space
ACT Brumbies 2026
- Thread starter Brumby Runner
- Start date
Major Tom
Colin Windon (37)
Tahs did lose Gleeson and Leota.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
They're probably the most likely destination, but I'm pretty sure the Force only have Tizzano and Champion de Crespigny contracted in the back row at this stage, and only 3 locks (Swain, Williams, Molina). They'll likely re-sign a few more (probably Harris and Faifua, not sure about the rest) but he would be a very good addition for them to build with, replacing a guy like Prinsep who probably doesn't have long left.
Major Tom
Colin Windon (37)
Ekuasi. Is he contracted next year?
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
Not yet (or at least not announced), but also a very different player to Hooper.
Major Tom
Colin Windon (37)
Yeah understand that. He's your straight up ball carrier.
Tazzmania
Alex Ross (28)
I suspect not announced yet, but he is playing club rugby for Kalamunda Bulls tomorrow in Perth, so I expect it will be announced prior to Super Rugby Squad confirmations towards the middle of this month.
Suspect at this stage he's probably aiming for naturalisation.
mst
Peter Johnson (47)
He left the Brumbies with a bright future ahead of him. He was already "shaped". He just needed to keep up the hard work and he should have maintained his upward trajectory. The Force provided him with a better opportunity (and back home in WA) to get more starts if not a locked in starting spot. It appears it all went downhill before the first season there started. It has taken a lot for him to get back in the Force team. He should have been a walk up start for the Force, but wasn’t, then got injured. To drop off so quickly is odd as the Force would have had all the supports in place and expected to slot him into a starting lineup. I would suggest that it indcates a potential player issue. I know there were some rumors suggesting he liked being home a bit too much, but how credible that is (was) are who knows. Regardless, if he didn't hold his shape after he left the Brumbies why would we want him back to do a rebuild?
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
By my count, we now have 25 signed players for 2026 and beyond for some.
Of those current players not yet signed, I presume a lot of effort is being put into negotiations with Schoupp, Cale, Thorn and Muirhead. Others not yet signed include Fotuaika, Anderson and Wilcox.
Who would people like to see come on board to fill out the roster? My first pick would be Lipina Ata given the injury to Lonergan. LHP is another area of need so go all out to resign Lington Ieli. Alternatively, Finn Baxter looks very promising but Ieli has already proven himself at Super Rugby level. Another backrower to replace the Hoopers is probably a necessity - Eli Langi and/or Beau Morrison from the U20s would be good gets to learn from the stars already there. At halfback, James Martens looks to be the best of those coming through the U20s, but a lot would depend on how Klayton Thorn fills the No 2 halfback spot. In the centres, Malakye Enasio was a star in the later U20s world champs but again we already have two youngsters there in Pritchard and McLeod. Will depend a bit on what Austin Anderson does in 2026.
Of those current players not yet signed, I presume a lot of effort is being put into negotiations with Schoupp, Cale, Thorn and Muirhead. Others not yet signed include Fotuaika, Anderson and Wilcox.
Who would people like to see come on board to fill out the roster? My first pick would be Lipina Ata given the injury to Lonergan. LHP is another area of need so go all out to resign Lington Ieli. Alternatively, Finn Baxter looks very promising but Ieli has already proven himself at Super Rugby level. Another backrower to replace the Hoopers is probably a necessity - Eli Langi and/or Beau Morrison from the U20s would be good gets to learn from the stars already there. At halfback, James Martens looks to be the best of those coming through the U20s, but a lot would depend on how Klayton Thorn fills the No 2 halfback spot. In the centres, Malakye Enasio was a star in the later U20s world champs but again we already have two youngsters there in Pritchard and McLeod. Will depend a bit on what Austin Anderson does in 2026.
Tomikin
Michael Lynagh (62)
Is he injured again? or you mean since his come back from a serious injury?
griffins
Bob Loudon (25)
Did his ACL vs the lions
Filipo Daugunu
Chris McKivat (8)
Need a backrower I think. I understand the imperative need to bring youngsters through otherwise they play for Ireland or Scotland or NRL, but I am a little concerned with the amount of 19, 20 year olds who are replacing players in the main squad. Ieli has clearly proven himself and is an exceptional player. But 2nd row next year will have Lachie Shaw (22) and Toby Macpherson (21) as 2 of the 4 locks. Backrow is similar, with both the Hoopers likely to be replaced by couple of the young guns. Halfback (Goddard gone) and centre (Pritchard, Jarrah) is also being stocked with youngsters. Again, I totally get how important this all is, and particularly the Brumbies who are the best at developing young talent into Wallabies, but the squad depth is looking very young in my opinion. At the end of the day the Brumbies are right at the top of Super Rugby and always mix it with the top NZ teams, and they should continue to fight for the title next year. Just not sure all the youngsters coming through is the answer in entirety, Brums need to get the balance right.
Major Tom
Colin Windon (37)
Props you should be alright because you found a gem with Ieli who should be able to replace slipper. If Alatini can step up then you should be good there. You still have Neville and Frost. Neville would have another year in him. At least they pumped a fair few games into Shaw this year. But yeah it’s just about an impossible exercise of balancing playing experienced guys whilst exposing to pro rugby.
Adam84
John Eales (66)
Neville would be my concern, he only started a handful in 2025, he is good for 20mins off the bench though. You’d really want Shaw to be stepping up as a starting lock for next year.
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Lachlan Shaw certainly looks the goods to me. Top notch lineout operator, hits rucks with a bit of physicality and has good hands. I reckon he'll be comfortable in the starting Lock spot next year.
Is it true that Fergus Lee-Walker isn't appearing on Tahs' lists? Would be an option if so. Although I think Tualima would provide more than adequate cover in the second row if needed while Saumasue can add power and size in the backrow off the bench.
Wilson
Tim Horan (67)
He's got a year left on his deal with the tahs. I'd be a bit surprised if they let him go with all their other departures, but they have picked up a few locks in the off season so it's not out of the question if they've also found another back rower or two they'd prefer to spend the money on. He'd obviously have to want out for that to work though, and that'd usually be either an overseas deal or retirement.
Filipo Daugunu
Chris McKivat (8)
Arese Poliko (Aus-born) from the Hurricanes and Taranaki Bulls in the NPC could be one. More likely a target for the Force. 24, 190cm, 115kg. Hits rucks hard and a powerful ball runner. Similar playing style to Hoskins Sotutu.
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.
Wallaby Way
Herbert Moran (7)
Outside backs is my most concern. It looks very thin without any super caps.
Darby Lancaster is a MUST
Darby Lancaster is a MUST