The final round of Super Rugby Next Gen sees the ACT Brumbies Next Gen go toe-to-toe with the NSW Waratahs on Sunday at Eric Tweedale Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 2:05 pm.
The Brumbies will be looking to cap off their season on a high following their 32–19 defeat to the Western Force the week earlier at HBF Park.
"It wasn’t the result we were after in Perth," said Head Coach Robbie Abel.
"We let the game get away from us, but the boys are keen to flip the script. We want to finish the campaign with a performance we can be proud of in this final hit-out."
The side sees a few new faces added to its roster as the team shakes things up for their final encounter of the season.
"With the Runners also lacing up this weekend, we’ve had to dip into the wider squad to fill the gaps," Abel explained.
"It changes the dynamic slightly, but the skeleton of the team is largely the same. It’s a cracker of an opportunity for the fresh faces to front up and show us what they’re made of."
Orange back rower and 2025 Australian Schoolboy, Oscar Cleary, enters the fray at blindside flanker.
"It hits close to home seeing a young fella from Orange get his crack," Abel said.
"I know the road he’s travelled to get here. I see a bit of my own journey in him, and I’m backing him to go out there and have a blinder."
The backline sees more movement with Warringah Rats’ Riley Whitfeld donning the 13 jersey.
Explosive outside back Ed Lyons secures a start on the right wing, with Angus Tagicakibau rounding out the changes at fullback.
"Gus put his case forward with his cameo last week," Abel admitted.
"You can’t ignore a bloke who comes off the bench and bags a double like that. He was asking serious questions of their defence every time he touched the pill, so he’s earned the right to run on first."
The team has kept the same key players in the tight five with Nate Hepi, Ewald Kruger, Lochlan Smith, Billy Hansen, and Jack Gordon retaining their starting positions to provide the platform.
The aforementioned Cleary is joined by Jarvis Orr on the openside flanker, and captain for the last outing, Cooper Eagle, at number 8.
Scrum-half Sam Watson and fly-half Chace Oates link up again as the teams’ halves pairing.
Inside centre Dylan Bretton couples up with Whitfeld in the mid-section.
Jacob Johnson starts on the left wing with Lyons on the right and Tagicakibau rounding out the team at 15 for their final stint in the Next Gen competition.
Date: Sunday 22 February | Time: 2:05 PM AEDT kick-off
Venue: Eric Tweedale Stadium | Broadcast: Live on Stan Sport and rugby.com.au
Starting XV
- Nate Hepi
- Ewald Kruger
- Lochlan Smith
- Billy Hansen
- Jack Gordon
- Oscar Cleary
- Jarvis Orr
- Cooper Eagle (c)
- Sam Watson
- Chace Oates
- Jacob Johnson
- Dylan Bretton
- Riley Whitfeld
- Ed Lyons
- Angus Tagicakibau
Finishers
16. Fletcher Burrows 17. Cajun Arnfield 18. Keegan Daly 19. Tavita Loughland 20. Bailey Bouquiaux 21. Chayse Geros 22. Will Trostel 23. Paddy McInally
