The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies side has been named for this Friday night's Super Kids Round fixture against Moana Pasifika, kicking off at 7:35PM AEDT at GIO Stadium, Canberra.
The Brumbies snapped an 11-year drought in Dunedin last weekend, taking down the Highlanders 27-21 in a physical encounter at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Head Coach Stephen Larkham has been forced into making changes after revealing Andy Muirhead (Knee), Len Ikitau (Knee) and Blake Schoupp (Shoulder) had succumbed to injuries in the club's Round 4 Super Rugby Pacific match in Dunedin.
Canberra Royal's Harry Vella will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut in the front row. Vella has made a strong impression on ACT rugby since joining the Brumbies Pathways program in 2021. The Nudgee College product battling injuries before performing in preseason and recent 2024 ACT Brumbies Runners matches.
Vella will join Billy Pollard and Sosefo Kautai in the front row, the latter extending his time with the Brumbies to the end of 2025.
Darcy Swain will skipper the side for the first time in his career, a welcome reward for the lock who made the move to the Nation's Capital in 2016. Swain combines with Cadeyrn Neville, who was instrumental in the Brumbies victory last weekend.
Charlie Cale makes a welcome return from injury, with Rob Valetini to pair with Jahrome Brown on the flanks. Harrison Goddard will start for the first time since shifting to Canberra, while Noah Lolesio has been named at flyhalf.
Tamati Tua continues at inside centre, linking up with Hudson Creighton who will make his first appearance for the club in 2024. The versatile Ollie Sapsford replaces Muirhead on the right wing, with Corey Toole and Tom Wright rounding out the backline.
Larkham has named a strong bench, which played a big part in last weekend's result against the Highlanders. Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper and Rhys Van Nek were exceptional in their involvement last Saturday.
Luke Reimer also returns to the line-up, joining Wallabies representative's Nick Frost and Tom Hooper who will provide plenty of starch off the bench. Larkham opting for a 6-2 split with Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith covering the backs.
The organisation will be celebrating Super Rugby's themed Kids Round, with various activations taking place within the precinct.
The Brumbies Super Rugby Women’s side take on the Melbourne Rebels in Round 2, kicking off at 5:05PM AEDT. Whilst the Super Rugby Pacific clash with Moana Pasifika kicks off at 7:35PM AEDT.
Gates open at 4:55PM AEDT, with tickets on sale here.
2024 Super Rugby Pacific – Round 5
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies v Moana Pasifika
Friday 22 March, 7:35PM AEDT
Starting XV
- Harry Vella (Canberra Royals)
- Billy Pollard (Uni-Norths Owls)
- Sosefo Kautai (Canberra Royals)
- Darcy Swain (C) (Tuggeranong Vikings)
- Cadeyrn Neville (Uni-Norths Owls)
- Rob Valetini (Western Districts)
- Jahrome Brown (Gungahlin Eagles)
- Charlie Cale (Uni-North Owls)
- Harrison Goddard (Queanbeyan Whites)
- Noah Lolesio (Tuggeranong Vikings)
- Corey Toole (Gungahlin Eagles)
- Tamati Tua (Queanbeyan Whites)
- Hudson Creighton (Queanbeyan Whites)
- Ollie Sapsford (Uni-Norths Owls)
- Tom Wright (Western Districts)
Finishers
16. Lachlan Lonergan (Tuggeranong Vikings)
17. James Slipper (Queanbeyan Whites)
18. Rhys Van Nek (Uni-Norths Owls)
19. Nick Frost (Queanbeyan Whites)
20. Tom Hooper (Tuggeranong Vikings)
21. Luke Reimer (Western Districts)
22. Ryan Lonergan (VC) (Tuggeranong Vikings)
23. Declan Meredith (Western Districts)
Head Coach
Stephen Larkham
