I've got three words for ya... SUPER RUGBY AUS! Are you ready?! Generation Next is ready to step into the ring.
The ACT Brumbies have unveiled a 32-man squad built for something new — Wallabies, Brumbies, Club rugby stars and one very familiar face from behind the scenes.
Leading the charge are 17 players with Super Rugby experience, including Wallabies Corey Toole, Nick Frost and Tane Edmed, alongside Rhys van Nek, Ollie Sapsford, Klayton Thorn, Liam Bowron, Darcy Breen and David Feliuai.
The young guns who made their mark in 2026 are back for more, with Kadin Pritchard, Jarrah McLeod, Toby Macpherson, Lington Ieli, Tevita Alatini and Dan Nelson all named.
New signings Triston Reilly and TJ Talaileva will pull on the Brumbies jersey for the first time, ready to make their mark.
Fijian international Moses Sorovi, and Judah Saumaisue get their chance after spending the season training with the Brumbies program, while Eli Langi and Ewald Kruger join the squad after starring for the Australian Under 20s at the World Rugby U20 Championship.
But it is the pathway that holds the real story.
A plethora of players from the Canberra club rugby competition are getting their shot.
After starring for their clubs throughout the John I Dent Cup season — with several featuring in the finals series — Finn Baxter, Dylan Bretton, Oscar Cleary, Darcy Fogarty, Tavita Loughland, Tu'ukalikali Vaipulu, Will Trostel and Jack Wright have earned their opportunity. And there’s a familiar surname or two in the mix, with Chace Oates and Oscar Shaw following in the footsteps of their Brumbies star brothers.
For Head Coach Stephen Larkham, it’s the next generation that makes this squad exciting.
“There’s some serious talent in this group,” Larkham said.
“We’ve got exciting young guys coming through the pathway, and they get the chance to test themselves alongside players like Corey Toole and Nick Frost.
“As always with the Brumbies, we’re looking to evolve the way we play. This tournament gives us the perfect environment to test ourselves. We want to create a style of rugby that the players enjoy playing and a game that inspires our supporters."
“With changes, we are expecting some errors, but that’s where real growth comes from. I’m looking forward to watching these young exciting players come together and have some fun.”
And then there's Josh Townsend.
His day job is as the Brumbies Assistant Manager, but come Saturday he is a local rugby legend for his beloved Queanbeyan Whites. And now… Super Rugby AUS player?
After years of making sure the Brumbies are ready to take the field, the man affectionately known as ‘Towny’ may finally get the chance to pull on the jersey himself.
From the kit room to the team sheet.
It's the kind of rugby fairytale that feels like a Disney movie come to life — and it's exactly the sort of opportunity Super Rugby AUS was built to create.
The Brumbies open their Super Rugby AUS campaign against the NSW Waratahs at Bungendore Sports Hub on Sunday, 13 September (2PM AEST), before travelling west to face the Western Force in Perth on Sunday, 20 September (3.30PM AEST).
They return to Viking Park to host the Queensland Reds on Sunday 27 September at 2.35PM AEST, with a place in the Finals potentially on the line.
All matches will be broadcast live on the rugby.com.au YouTube channel.
