Super Rugby AUS 2026 Teams: All the team news for Round Two

Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 4:11 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Queensland Reds host the Western Force in Round 1 of Swyftx Super Rugby AUS 2026.

Super Rugby AUS continues into Round Two as a host of stars return for this weekend's fixtures.

The Western Force will unveil returning flyhalf James O'Connor, named on the bench as Wallabies Tom Robertson and Nick Champion de Crespigny also feature.

Watch every second of Super Rugby AUS live and on-demand via Stan Sport and Rugby.com.au.

They'll face the ACT Brumbies on Sunday in Butler, who welcome back Wallaby Nick Frost to the second-row.

Before that, the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs travel to Roma for the 'Santos Festival of Rugby' on Saturday, with the Reds bringing in former Wallaby Sefa Naivalu and former New Zealand Warriors flyer David Fusitu'a.

Saturday September 19 5:45 pm AEST – Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs at Gallas Fox Park, Roma, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport and Rugby.com.au

The Queensland Reds have drafted in former NRL star David Fusitu’a and ex-Wallaby Sefa Naivalu for the clash with the Waratahs.

Fusitu’a partners with Josh Takai in the centres, reuniting their brothers' combination after a long-term injury to Josh Flook.

Meanwhile, Naivalu pulls on the maroon jersey for the first time since 2019.

Tom Lynagh remains at flyhalf as he continues his return from injury, with Matt Faessler captaining the team.

As for the Waratahs, they have called Australia U20 star Isaac Fonua and Tom Girle into their pack.

Fonua replaces the injured Pete Samu, while Girle comes in for Justice Taumoepeau, who is on Australia U18 duties.

Wallaby Luke Reimer makes his club debut via the bench, with Australia U20 stars Charlie Bird and Tyler Maybery.

REDS (1-15): George Blake, Matt Faessler (c), Nick Bloomfield, Will Ross, Charlie Brosnan, Tom Robinson, John Bryant, Joe Brial, Mosiah Christian, Tom Lynagh, Sefa Naivalu, Josh Takai, David Fusitu'a, Tim Ryan, Will McCulloch

Replacements: Zac Hough, Harrison Usher, Trevor King, Dom Thygesen, Vaiuta Latu, Cooper Stewart, Ben Volavola, Jake Pappin, Kenneth Harris, Alex Flanagan-Smith

WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins, Edwin Langi, Eamon Doyle (c), Miles Amatosero, Tom Girle, Marshall Le Maitre, Isaac Fonua, Teddy Wilson, Max Burey, Freedom Vahaakaolo, George Poolman, Otto Serfontein, Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong, Sid Harvey

Replacements: Tyler Maybery, Brady Dawson, Will Goddard, Joe Mangelsdorf, Angus Scott-Young, Luke Reimer, Angus Grover, Joe Dillon, Charlie Bird, Nick Chan.

Sunday September 20 3:30 pm AEST – Western Force v ACT Brumbies at North Coast Sharks RUFC, Butler, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport and Rugby.com.au

Flyhalf James O'Connor will make his return to the Western Force, selected on the extended bench to face the ACT Brumbies.

It comes with Harry McLaughlin-Phillips called into the Wallabies squad, with Kurtley Beale taking his spot in the starting side.

Forwards Nick Champion de Crespigny and Tom Robertson also come into a settled line-up following their thrilling win over the Queensland Reds.

Robertson returns from injury at loosehead prop, with one-time Wallabies skipper Champion de Crespigny named at blindside flanker.

For the Brumbies, Nick Frost is a big inclusion after missing last week's defeat to the NSW Waratahs, starting at second row.

It's one of two changes to the starting side, with Tavita Loughland starting in the back-row to replace TJ Talaileva. Kadin Pritchard has been cleared from injury after his late withdrawal last week, selected on the bench.

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Nic Dolly (c), Brad Kuhn, Will Harris, Zak Healey, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Jack Daly, Jackson Iose, Nathan Hastie, Kurtley Beale, Ronan Leahy, Boston Fakafanua, Zac Lomax, Wallace Charlie, Mac Grealy

Replacements: Albert Alcock, Max Sawers, Misinale Epenisa, Tim Sail, Seta Baker, Luke Aiken, James O'Connor, Tama Anderson, Kane Koteka, Regin Pratt

BRUMBIES (1-15): Lington Ieli, Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Nick Frost, Toby Macpherson (c), Tavita Loughland, Eli Langi, Oscar Cleary, Klayton Thorn, Tane Edmed, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Jarrah McLeod, Ollie Sapsford, Triston Reilly

Replacements: Ewald Kruger, Finn Baxter, Darcy Breen, Tu'ukalikali Vaihu, Darcy Fogerty, Dan Nelson, Oscar Shaw, Dylan Bretton, Kadin Pritchard, Chace Oates

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