The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have made six changes to face the Western Force at Marist College on Friday (2pm kick-off) in the club's second Trial match of 2025.
Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Tom Hooper, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio and Corey Toole come into the side, having toured Europe with either the Wallabies or Australia A before Christmas.
Hooker Billy Pollard also comes onto the bench having missed the 36-36 draw with the NSW Waratahs in Bowral on Saturday.
Head coach Stephen Larkham expressed a desire to keep some consistency in selection, as the team gears up for the opening Super Rugby Pacific match in Suva next Saturday against the Fijian Drua.
“We were well organised against the Waratahs and our performance was a good start to what we’re trying to achieve this year, so we wanted to keep the bulk of that starting lineup from the outset again on Friday,” Larkham said.
“Once again, we’ll be making sure that minutes are spread throughout the team to ensure everyone gets some time out on the pitch.
“Although we haven’t seen the Force yet this pre-season, they’ve made some really strong additions to their squad, and we won’t be taking them lightly.
“As per the Waratahs game last week though, we haven’t prepared anything specific for the opposition, we have been concentrating on ourselves and putting patterns in place for the season ahead.”
The match will be held at local school Marist College, offering students at the school the opportunity to watch some world-class rugby action right on their doorstep.
Marist has produced some outstanding Brumbies players, including the likes of Joe Roff, Jon McGrath, Tom Cusack and current players Bowron and Rory Scott, with the latter starting from kick off on Friday.
And Larkham highlighted the importance of playing in front of young people in the local area, showcasing the Brumbies and the sport of rugby to the local community.
“Marist College is an outstanding rugby school and has long been established in terms of bringing talent through to play for not only the Brumbies, but also the Wallabies,” Larkham said.
“It’s really important that we continue to connect with the school. We are making a concerted effort to support the rugby community in Canberra, so it’s fantastic to be able to play one of our Trial matches in front of some of our biggest supporters.”
The Brumbies first Super Rugby Pacific match against Fijian Drua will kick off at 2.35pm next Saturday, live on Stan Sports.
Trial match – Friday 7th February (2pm AEDT)
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies vs Western Force
Marist College, 27 Marr Street, Pearce, ACT 2607
Starting XV
- Blake Schoupp
- Lachlan Lonergan
- Rhys van Nek
- Lachlan Shaw
- Tom Hooper
- Tuaina Taii-Tualima
- Luke Reimer
- Rory Scott
- Ryan Lonergan
- Noah Lolesio
- Corey Toole
- David Feliuai
- Hudson Creighton
- Ollie Sapsford
- Andy Muirhead
Finishers:
- Billy Pollard
- Lington Ieli
- Feao Fotuaika
- Cadeyrn Neville
- Lachlan Hooper
- Jack Condon
- Judah Saumaisue
- Harrison Goddard
- Declan Meredith
- Jack Debreczeni
- Austin Anderson
- Kadin Pritchard
- Kye Oates
- Shane Wilcox
