HIGH HOPES IN NATION’S CAPITAL

by Peter White

The ACT Brumbies have a new/old name, a strong squad with some of the best Wallaby talent, and the return of former great Stephen Larkham as head coach.

Brumbies

Coach: Stephen Larkham

Captain: Allan Alaalatoa

Home ground: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Website: www.brumbies.rugby

Tickets: ticketek.co.au

Contact: Building 29, University Drive, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT, 2617

Phone: +61 1300 228 278

Team TAB odds: $12.00

LAST YEAR:

SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC: SEMI-FINALS

ACT Brumbies were the best of the Australian teams and unlucky to lose 20–19 to the Blues in an epic semi-final at Eden Park. The Australians outscored the Blues three tries to two, but despite a late numerical advantage, after two yellow cards to the Blues, they were unable to clinch the victory.

LUCK OF THE DRAW:

ACT Brumbies kick start their 2023 campaign with away games against the Waratahs in Sydney and Blues in Melbourne, before two big home games at GIO Stadium, Canberra against Queensland Reds and Moana Pasifika. A trip to Christchurch to play the Crusaders is next, which could be a portent to the team’s overall chances.

CAMPAIGN PREVIEW:

It is definitely a case of back to the future for the Canberra-based outfit. They have relaunched their much-loved moniker, ACT Brumbies, in time for the 2023 season and welcome back one of their greatest former players.

The club has not been officially referred to as ACT Brumbies since 2004 but has been renamed in a bid to reinvigorate the declining community fan base. The return of Stephen Larkham for his second stint as head coach is another pointer to the glory days when he helped win Super Rugby titles in 2001 and 2004.

Brumbies Squad

FORWARDS:

Allan Alaalatoa, Fred Kaihea, Sefo Kautai, Tom Ross, James Slipper, Harry Vella, Lachlan Lonergan, Connal McInerney, Billy Pollard, Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Cadeyrn Neville, Darcy Swain, Jahrome Brown, Ed Kennedy, Luke Reimer, Pete Samu, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Charlie Cale.

BACKS:

Ryan Lonergan, Nic White, Klayton Thorn, Noah Lolesio, Jack Debreczeni, Nathan Carroll, Hudson Creighton, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Len Ikitau, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Jesse Mogg, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright, Declan Meredith, Ben O’Donnell, Corey Toole.

Last year was a memorable one for ACT Brumbies as they powered their way through to a semi-final at Eden Park where they were unlucky to lose to the Blues by a solitary point.

Missing from last year’s squad are the well-performed Tom Banks, Irae Simone, Folau Fainga’a and Scott Sio, who have all moved overseas. Larkham still has a strong squad, with 17 capped Wallabies, two Australian captains in James Slipper and ACT Brumbies skipper Allan Alaalatoa, as well as two Australian Sevens internationals Corey Toole and Ben O’Donnell.

First-five Jack Debreczeni, Kiwi centre Tamati Tua and outside-back Ben O’Donnell are new faces to Larkham’s squad, with six ACT Brumbies pathways products promoted into the club’s senior squad.

Tua was a standout for Northland in last year’s NPC and was part of the Blues squad in 2022.

The former Junior All Black will add to the strong midfield stocks along with Hudson Creighton, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Len Ikitau and Ollie Sapsford all returning from last season’s group.

“Tamati’s a good young player and within our programme we believe he can make great strides along with our current group of centres,” says Larkham.

The former attacking first-five wants to bring back a more attacking brand of rugby to Canberra.

“We’re really pleased with the makeup of the squad and it’s great to have the majority of the group returning, including the six pathways boys who all trained full-time last season. When you look at the squad, there’s genuine competition for places and depth in key positions, so everyone will need to earn selection week-to-week, which is what you need to be successful.

“We want this group to belong to our ACT community. We want to make heroes out of these players and I think with the broad range of backgrounds, the journeys these players have been on to be at our club, it’s a squad that we believe the capital region will get behind.”

WHO’S NEW:

Forwards: None.

Backs: Ben O’Donnell (Connacht), Jack Debreczeni (Hino Red Dolphins), Corey Toole (Australian Sevens), Tamati Tua (Blues).

WHO’S THROUGH:

Forwards: Folau Fainga’a (Western Force).

Backs: Scott Sio (Exeter Chiefs), Irae Simone (Clermont), Tom Banks (Honda Heat, Japan), Rod Iona (MLR).