Surprise dual-international set to light up Australian Club Championships in Brisbane

Fri, Mar 14, 2025, 6:00 AM
Lachie Grey
by Lachie Grey
Will Cartwright scores an incredible try to seal Brothers' victory over Randwick in the Australian Club Championship 2024

Rugby league international David Fusitu'a is the surprise headliner for Saturday's Australian Club Championship as Brothers prepare to welcome the nation's top sides to Brisbane's inner north.

Delayed a week by Cyclone Alfred, the Australian Club Championships will take over Crosby Park this weekend with Fusitu'a, 30, set to don the Butcher Stripes in Brothers' Bernard Power Challenge Trophy defence.

Catch the Australian Club Championships live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

Fusitu'a has represented both Tonga and New Zealand in the 13-a-side game and boasts more than 150 first-class caps across stints with New Zealand Warriors (National Rugby League) and Leeds Rhinos (Super League).

However, the outside back nows find himself in Australia's premier club fixture after being named alongside Reds squad member Jude Gibbs and four-cap Super Rugby Pacific hooker Theo Fourie on Brothers' bench to tackle Eastern Suburbs in what shapes a record-breaking men's decider.

Eastern Suburbs - aka Beasties - are in contention for a maiden Bernard Power Challenge title after breaking their 55-year Shute Shield drought while current holders and two-time reigning Hospital Cup winners Brothers are out to become the first side since 2016 to successfully defend their Australian Club title.

In the women's showpiece event - the Sukkar Cup - Jack Scott Cup winners Sydney University will seek to dethrone Bond University following earlier fixtures including Toowoomba Bears, Roma Echidnas and Brothers Sunshine Coast.

Gates open 7am at Crosby Park with games kicking off from 10:10am - full schedule below:

10:10 AM Brothers v Brothers Sunshine Coast (Women's Trial)

11:35 AM The Bros & Bears Clash (Brothers Fifth Grade v Toowoomba Bears)

12:55 PM The Country to Coast Clash - Roma Echidnas v Brothers Sunshine Coast

2:00 PM THE SUKKAR CUP - Bond Uni v Sydney Uni

3:45 PM BERNARD POWER CHALLENGE TROPHY - Brothers v Easts

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