ACT Brumbies 2026

[Uh huh]

Anyone else here rate Meredith more than Tane?

Honestly I think that was probably the worst game I've seen from Meredith at 10.

 

[Major Tom]

Honestly I think that was probably the worst game I've seen from Meredith at 10.

HMP completely outplayed him until he got injured

 

[Adam84]

I watched him closely after some said he was the best 5/8 in Australia, and have to agree it wasn’t a very good performance. I thought he performed much better when he shifted to fullback later in the game.

 

[griffins]

I watched him closely after some said he was the best 5/8 in Australia, and have to agree it wasn’t a very good performance. I thought he performed much better when he shifted to fullback later in the game.

One* said

 

[Tomikin]

I watched him closely after some said he was the best 5/8 in Australia, and have to agree it wasn’t a very good performance. I thought he performed much better when he shifted to fullback later in the game.

He's got some really good attributes, one his tough, he takes on the line really well, his kicking isn't too bad and his got a good pass. His not as young and he needs polish.

I suspect his in line to play fullback next year with Wright out, or he will split the duties at 5/8 with Edmen. Like all players at this level he needs consistent game time to get that last 10 percent. He was much better in super rugby last year then he was against the Reds.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Meredith set up two tries last weekend with a line break and a deft grubber through the line. I suspect the criticisms of his play stem from the two attempted 50/22s, one of which landed probably less than 30cm over the touch line and the other which dribbled into the ingoal and just found touch in goal. Either or both of those kicks achieve their goal and I daresy the assessments of his play would be a whole lot more positive. It is a game of fine margins.

 

[Adam84]

He's got some really good attributes, one his tough, he takes on the line really well, his kicking isn't too bad and his got a good pass. His not as young and he needs polish.

I suspect his in line to play fullback next year with Wright out, or he will split the duties at 5/8 with Edmen. Like all players at this level he needs consistent game time to get that last 10 percent. He was much better in super rugby last year then he was against the Reds.

Unless another fullback option comes about in the off-season, I'd have to agree.
You would hope Edmed thrives in the Brumbies environment and returns to the kind of ITM Cup form that earned him a Wallaby call-up to start with, at which point it's not even a discussion.

 

[Yoda]

Meredith set up two tries last weekend with a line break and a deft grubber through the line. I suspect the criticisms of his play stem from the two attempted 50/22s, one of which landed probably less than 30cm over the touch line and the other which dribbled into the ingoal and just found touch in goal. Either or both of those kicks achieve their goal and I daresy the assessments of his play would be a whole lot more positive. It is a game of fine margins.

Fine margins indeed.

 

[Uh huh]

Unless another fullback option comes about in the off-season, I'd have to agree.
You would hope Edmed thrives in the Brumbies environment and returns to the kind of ITM Cup form that earned him a Wallaby call-up to start with, at which point it's not even a discussion.

Shane Wilcox has been named at 15 for the Force game.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

This is what the comp is good for. Exposing a guy like Wilcox to a bit more to see if he can shift into a 23 when required. Personally think his best chance to learn is get a few games on the Wing and get a grip on the speed and positioning before he would slot into a Super Rugby game at 15 though.

 

[Adam84]

one for the future for sure

 

[Tomikin]

This is what the comp is good for. Exposing a guy like Wilcox to a bit more to see if he can shift into a 23 when required. Personally think his best chance to learn is get a few games on the Wing and get a grip on the speed and positioning before he would slot into a Super Rugby game at 15 though.

It's interesting to see the different approaches teams are taking. The Brumbies are very much going with the extended squad/youth team, whereas I'd say the Reds are playing towards the full strength they currently have, both worthy options.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

one for the future for sure

All the natural gifts are there. He looks like a guy who will benefit from being brought through appropriately and allowed to fill out a bit first at a good rate to not compromise speed and agility.

It's interesting to see the different approaches teams are taking. The Brumbies are very much going with the extended squad/youth team, whereas I'd say the Reds are playing towards the full strength they currently have, both worthy options.

Agree. Brums have the luxury of bringing through some kids around established guys as well for those 25-30 spots on the roster. Reds are fairly locked in so it's about cohesion. Tahs seem to be letting guys show their worth individually and trial for contracts and I'd say the Force are about Cohesion and building depth from within the squad i.e. Poolman having a run at 12.

No approach is wrong IMO as it serves to improve each side with what they need most before Super Rugby 2026. Someone will say the comp suffers but the trophy is a bit of an after thought in this one when the goal is to build the side above it.

 

[Wilson]

It's interesting to see the different approaches teams are taking. The Brumbies are very much going with the extended squad/youth team, whereas I'd say the Reds are playing towards the full strength they currently have, both worthy options.

Is the approach that different though? Brumbies have rested a few senior squad players in Neville and Muirhead, but the Reds have effect done the same with Flook, Asiata, Bryant and Werchon off with Benneton.

The Brumbies might have a few more unavailable due to wallabies/injury, though the real difference seems to just be in squad turn over.

 

[TSR]

Last week it just looked to me like the Reds choose to start their strongest team and bring the rookies off the bench. The Brumbies went the opposite and the flow of the game went accordingly.

 

[Brumby Runner]

one for the future for sure

If he can improve his tackling. Doesn't seem to have the physique for the defensive aspects of the game.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Are there many young outside backs who own the defensive side of the game though?

Lancaster gets lost, a lot of us critical of Toole and these guys are far more established. These guys are learning with their hands to flame coming from Schools where they are adequate and get away with mistakes. The good players will learn in time. Same goes with the physique. Give it time in the right environment and he'll develop enough. He isn't going to be a run over the top of you player, he's a go through a gap outside back.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Is the approach that different though? Brumbies have rested a few senior squad players in Neville and Muirhead, but the Reds have effect done the same with Flook, Asiata, Bryant and Werchon off with Benneton.

The Brumbies might have a few more unavailable due to wallabies/injury, though the real difference seems to just be in squad turn over.

Larkham, in his press conference discussing SRAus this week, mentioned he is still looking to fill two full-time spots on the roster for 26 and two injury replacements for Schoupp and Wright. I think he is particularly keen on getting a fullback from the current competition. If I'm reading it right he maybe doesn't want to play Meredith there because he will be better placed competing for No 10 with Tane. And I really don't think Wilcox will be ready for Super Rugby next year, possibly if ever.