The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies defeated the Western Force 45-12 at Marist College today as they prepare in earnest for the start of their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign in Fiji next weekend.
View our minute by minute live blog from today's game here. With the scores tied at 12 apiece at half-time, the Brumbies blew the Force away in the second half, with a try double from Kadin Pritchard and further scores from the likes of Austin Anderson, Billy Pollard and Luke Reimer.
Brumbies and Wallabies fly half Noah Lolesio was delighted to figure for 40 minutes and play in front of a packed house at Marist.
"It was great playing here at Marist College. An awesome, awesome turnout. It was a good trial game from both sides, I reckon," Lolesio said.
"The first half was a bit of a grind out there for us. And we'll take good learnings from that heading into round one next week.
"I was worried about the lungs today, I'm not going to lie! But I managed to get through 40 minutes, which was good. That was always the plan for today. So, yeah, I'm really keen to rip in and see what this Super Rugby season has in store for the Brumbies.
On taking on the Drua next week, Lolesio said: "We’re expecting them to be really powerful and physical next week. This is the first time the Brumbies are heading over there, playing against the Drua. So, hot conditions like this prepare us as well for the weather over there. I think we're playing in the afternoon too.
"Year by year they're getting better and better with their program and everything. So, it'll be a real good challenge starting off the season. We often say the crowds over there are just crazy. It looks like the whole island rocks up! I can't wait to go over there. It should be, you know, if I'm playing and selected, it'll be an awesome opportunity to play in Fiji. And the whole squad's really excited.
On the younger crop who starred today for the Brumbies, he said: "These games are a good chance to see new players and young up-and-comers.
"I’ve been really, really impressed with the young guys that have come in. I just think these Trial games in general give the boys a bit of game time. At the Brumbies we push that real, big squad mentality. The next man is always important.
"I've been really impressed with not just one in particular, but the majority of the squad that have been training with us from pre-Christmas. I thought they've been doing an awesome job and I'm sure they'll get heaps of game time throughout the season as well."
Head coach Stephen Larkham was pleased with his side's display but still believes they have plenty to work on ahead of a tough test against the Drua next Saturday.
"Both Trial matches were tough games. Particularly in the first half, the Force have only had one Trial and had to get some minutes into a lot of different players. So we saw a lot of change in that second half," Larkham said.
"We can certainly learn from some of that stuff that happened in the first half. You want to come out of a Trial and know that you've performed well. Things aren't quite where they need to be and what we've got some aspects to work on. Obviously, we're very pleased, every time you get a win you are.
"Last week was a draw and we weren't quite happy with it, but it was a good spectacle. It's put us in an excellent position for the start of the season vs Fijian Drua.
"We scored 36 points last week and 45 today. We've been showing some really pleasing aspects in our attacking game. The first half was really tight and really tough. We defended for most of that first half and we were down our end.
"And the opportunities that we got, we did a pretty good job with, but frustration creeped into that first half. Then the second half here, we made a lot of changes. Those young guys that came on and delivered those plays, that was on the call sheet.
"I’m delighted to see all those replacements that came on in the second half deliver on the field. It's also good to see Noah back out there. I think everyone across the board did their job. And on the back of that, the opportunities came."
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 45 - 12 Western Force
Tries: L Lonergan, Toole, Reimer, Pollard, Pritchard (2), Anderson
Conversions: Lolesio, Meredith (4) 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
ENDS
