Fresh from a tough opening trial, ACT Brumbies Head Coach Stephen Larkham has named his squad for the second and final trial match of the 2026 season, with the Brumbies set to face the NSW Waratahs at Marist College, Canberra, on Thursday 5 February at 1.30pm AEDT. The game will be broadcast live on Stan.
The hit-out provides the final opportunity for players to push their case ahead of Round One of the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season. It also presents the first chance this season to reignite the rivalry with the Waratahs, who the Brumbies will not meet again until Round Seven on 27 March 2026 at GIO Stadium.
Larkham said the group had absorbed some hard truths from the opening trial and were determined to respond.
“We’ve had a good review of our first trial and whilst there are a few areas to work on in terms of cohesion and connection, we also saw some good individual performances,” Larkham said.
“Playing in front of the fans at Marist always brings the best out of the players.”
The match will feature nine additions to last week’s trial squad, with James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Luke Reimer and Ollie Sapsford all set to play their first game of the year as part of the Brumbies’ final tune-up ahead of the season opener.
The starting side will be captained by Lonergan, who partners Declan Meredith who shifts back to his traditional fly-half position. The backline features Andy Muirhead, Sapsford and Toole in the back three, while Feliuai links with Kadin Pritchard in a new-look midfield partnership.
The forward pack includes returning internationals Slipper and Pollard alongside Rhys van Nek in the front row, locks Lachie Shaw and Frost, and a barnstorming backrow of Valetini, Rory Scott and Charlie Cale.
The Brumbies will again utilise an extended bench, with Blake Schoupp, Tevita Alatini, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Hudson Creighton, Toby Macpherson, Tuaina Tualima, Austin Anderson and Kye Oates set to feature.
Rory Scott and Liam Bowron, both former Marist College students, are relishing the opportunity to play at their old stomping ground.
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to connect on the field as a team again,” Larkham said.
“This game is a key step in our preparation for the season."
ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs – Trial Match Date: Thursday, 5 February Time: 1.30PM AEDT Location: Marist College, Canberra Broadcast live on Stan.
