Super Rugby U19s Teams Round Three: Brumbies, Waratahs collide in early final preview

Thu, Sep 25, 2025, 4:45 AM
Nick Wasiliev
by Nick Wasiliev
Western Force host ACT Brumbies in Round 2 of Super Rugby U19s 2025.

Super Rugby U19s follows in the footsteps of its senior counterpart this weekend, as the final round sees the two leading sides lock horns in Canberra.

Running alongside Super Rugby AUS, Super Rugby U19s has been a breeding ground for the likes of Tim Ryan, Jack Bowen and Lington Ieli - and several future stars are set to follow in their footsteps.

Catch all the Super Rugby AUS, Super Rugby Men's U19 and Super Rugby Men's U16 action live and on-demand via Stan Sport and Rugby.com.au's YouTube.

Round three will kick off in Canberra, with defending champions ACT set to host a rampaging Waratahs outfit who put 50 on the Force and the Reds in back-to-back weeks.

The Brumbies are also undefeated, with both sides set to meet next week in the final. This match will determine who will host the decider.

Meanwhile, the battle for who finishes third will be decided at Tompkins Park in Perth, as the Force look to finish a tough season in style against the Queensland Reds.

The Waratahs have made sweeping changes to the side that defeated the Reds, with only six players holding onto their spots as they look to defeat the current champions on their home soil.

The side left Narribri with several injury concerns, but will retain centre pairing Mitchell Holmes and Riley Evans, as well as flyhalf Henry Conick.

The Brumbies have made five changes with a re-jigged backline as they look to ensure they draw first blood against the Waratahs, with Ben Martens coming in for Billy Hansen and a reshuffled loose forward pack.

A completely new look back three in Blake Miller, Matthew Ribot and Marry Mclean will also see Lacquan Afamiliona slot into outside centre to challenge the visitor's defensive line.

The Reds have made five changes to their side that lost to the Waratahs, with a new look front row in Will Pamenter and Craig Rowsell set to pack down against the Force.

Tom Howard will shift into the left wing role as part of a new look back three, with Charlie Bird set to be promoted to the starting side, while Ryan Heaton will retain the captains armband

The Force will make three changes to the side that lost to the Brumbies, with Perth Bayswater’s Josh Pulu and Associates’ Luke Megson coming into the starting front row, with Wanneroo’s Xavier Vaauli moving into lock.

The side will retain an unchanged backline after they asked questions of the current champions, with Brodie Mainwaring set to lead the side from flyhalf.

Saturday 27 September: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs, Viking Park, Canberra at 3:00 pm (AEST)

BRUMBIES (1-15): Nate Hepi , Ewald Kruger , Lochlan Smith , Jack Gordon , Ben Martens , Cooper Eagle , Charlie Baker , Eli Langi (c) , Marley Ngatai , Chace Oates (vc) , Blake Miller , Dylan Bretton , Laquan Afamiliona , Matthew Ribot , Harvey Mclean

Reserves: Will Hodge, Jeziah Sega, Brad Patmore, Thomas Alloggia, Uli Latukefu, Grady Woolley, Jacob Johnson, Paddy McInally

WARATAHS (1-15): Harper Strachan, Riley Osborn, Justin Amituani, Ed Baxter, Aron Brennan, Arthur Greer, Marshall Le Maitre, Charlie Bull, Thomas Goldie, Henry Conick, Dane Mitchell, Mitchell Holmes, Riley Evans, Max Roach, Louis Fenwicke

Reserves: Tyler Maybery, Nick Hill, Dante Siale, Ethan Hamilton, Oscar Affleck, James Thompson, King Manu, Tom Hartman

Sunday 28 September: Western Force v Queensland Reds, Tompkins Park, Perth at 2:00 pm (AWST)

FORCE (1-15): Josh Pulu, Luke Megson, Zavier Hawira, Xavier Vaauli, Manaia TeTana (cc), William Crew, Luke Holt-Brown, Nathaniel Gallagher, Tamarangi Tunui, Brodie Mainwaring, Penijameni Naqau, Chris Jansen, Fatani Fatanitavake, Kade Davis, Wallace Charlie (cc)

Reserves: H Hattingh, Cajun Arnfield, Billy Krsticevic, Paddy Woods, Felix Cooper, Connor Hulme, Cruz Remi, Sonny Kani

REDS (1-15): Jacob Job, Will Pamenter, Craig Rowsell, Kenny Harris, Will Pascoe, Keanu Rasch, Joe Stoddart, Angus Kelly (vc), James Prole, Netani Lesimaikimatuku, Tom Howard,Ryan Heaton (c), Josh Takai, Ilan Cloete, Charlie Bird

Reserves: Reuben Downes, Lucas Oxley, Salesi Kali, Mitch Waldon, Trent Picot, Stanley Keats, Tom Lambo, David Colaivalu, Jake Leck

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