ACT Brumbies 2026

[Brumby Runner]

It is definitely a concern FD. There look to be a lot of holes in the roster at the moment, and time is marching on. Anyone know when the squad announcements are due to be made?

What role does RA play in recruitment for the Tahs and Brumbies? Is there any suggestion that lack of funds is playing a part?

 

[Filipo Daugunu]

It is definitely a concern FD. There look to be a lot of holes in the roster at the moment, and time is marching on. Anyone know when the squad announcements are due to be made?

What role does RA play in recruitment for the Tahs and Brumbies? Is there any suggestion that lack of funds is playing a part?

Squads last year were announced on the 12th of November, so there is little time left. But I do recall the Brumbies signing Feao Fotuaika in December last year. The Rugby Australia decision to put Poolman and Potter to the Waratahs is an interesting one, does not seem to be a logical distribution of talent at all. Tahs need front rowers, not another winger.

 

[Adam84]

The Rugby Australia decision to put Poolman and Potter to the Waratahs is an interesting one, does not seem to be a logical distribution of talent at all. Tahs need front rowers, not another winger.

Is this inferring that RA are preventing Brumbies from making offers to players?

can’t really argue that RA put players somewhere if both teams are allowed to table their offers forward independent of one another.

I agree talent distribution needs to be discussed, all east coast teams have been guilty of it in the past. I’m not sure this is the right spin on that though.

 

[Tomikin]

Is this inferring that RA are preventing Brumbies from making offers to players?

can’t really argue that RA put players somewhere if both teams are allowed to table their offers forward independent of one another.

Yeah, I dont think they really placed players in either place, I think they probably offered the same amount to the player if they wanted to go to the Brumbies or Tah's and then the player picked the place. Remember when Potter signed, Wright wasn't injured, so we probably didn't chase him that hard. He also wanted to go home, probably the same with Poolman, Im not sure we chased him that hard, either.

 

[Filipo Daugunu]

Is this inferring that RA are preventing Brumbies from making offers to players?

can’t really argue that RA put players somewhere if both teams are allowed to table their offers forward independent of one another.

I agree talent distribution needs to be discussed, all east coast teams have been guilty of it in the past. I’m not sure this is the right spin on that though.

No I think that teams independently offer contracts to players despite both being owned by Rugby Aus. But I also believe that Rugby Au at the end of the day get a big say in who goes where, no? My understanding was that the Brumbies and Tahs can both offer a 'player' a contract if they want them, but at the same time Rugby Au ultimately get the decision to put the player at the Brumbies or Tahs as they own both clubs. This was one of the big issues the Brumbies had with centralising with Rugby Au, but had no choice in the end due to finances. Not trying to make it a conspiracy theory, I think that Rugby Au have got the talent distribution badly wrong. I mean have a look at the Tahs number/quality of backs for next season and compare it to the Brumbies.

 

[Strewthcobber]

No I think that teams independently offer contracts to players despite both being owned by Rugby Aus. But I also believe that Rugby Au at the end of the day get a big say in who goes where, no? My understanding was that the Brumbies and Tahs can both offer a 'player' a contract if they want them, but at the same time Rugby Au ultimately get the decision to put the player at the Brumbies or Tahs as they own both clubs. This was one of the big issues the Brumbies had with centralising with Rugby Au, but had no choice in the end due to finances. Not trying to make it a conspiracy theory, I think that Rugby Au have got the talent distribution badly wrong. I mean have a look at the Tahs number/quality of backs for next season and compare it to the Brumbies.

It's not quite that clean because the Brumbies decided on a different governance model with a board running the Brumbies. Their recruitment team is accountable to the board, not RA management.

Ultimately, I think the player themselves has most influence on where they end up, especially ones with a Wallaby topup

 

[Brumby Runner]

Yeah, I dont think they really placed players in either place, I think they probably offered the same amount to the player if they wanted to go to the Brumbies or Tah's and then the player picked the place. Remember when Potter signed, Wright wasn't injured, so we probably didn't chase him that hard. He also wanted to go home, probably the same with Poolman, Im not sure we chased him that hard, either.

Hey Tom, any ideas on who the Brumbies might be chasing?

 

[Major Tom]

Might be a little premature but starting to get a tad concerned with the lack of recruitment news from the Brumbies. Like every year they have done well to retain large parts of the squad from the year before, but with departures of Tom Hooper, Lachlan Hooper, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau, BOD, and Tom Wright (injured), there seems to be some holes in the squad that have been discussed at length. They have obviously signed Edmed, Alatini, McLeod, Nelson as replacements. They only have 2 flyhalves (Dillon not up to it yet), 13 is looking thin, and in the back 3 they have only Toole, Sapsford, Muirhead (assuming re-signed) before using the developing youngsters of Pritchard, and Wilcox. It seems they were after Poolman and missed out. Tahs and Force seem to have a ton of backs on contract, and Reds have enough depth as well. I haven't heard any news or rumours that they are after a big aussie signing from overseas at all. Strachan, Newsome, Maddocks, Ripley, Hodge, Vaihu (Japan?), Hendren, Ropata, are some options maybe. Keen to hear people's thoughts.

Gonna be one of those rebuilding type of years I think.
You look alright for front rower and the rest of the fwd pack. Just outside backs really. NSW could loan a few fringe players if injuries bite.

 

[Tomikin]

Hey Tom, any ideas on who the Brumbies might be chasing?

No idea, I think they will just grab some youngest and wait for the return of Ikitau and Wright

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think the Brums would be looking at a couple of blokes from the NPC as depth pickups. Some good young prospects like McLeod but also a big ask if one injury hits to expect him to complete bulk minutes at a high level.

With Wright out, I'd be chasing Hendren from the Tahs really hard even if it was a loan for the year. He deserves Super Rugby mins going off his Super Rugby Aus showings and would benefit both sides. The other guys i'd go for is James Ramm as an outside back and Angus Scott Young as a backrow pickup.

 

[Slim 293]

I wonder what Lachie Hooper signing for the Tahs means for his brother, if he does choose to return for the RWC...

 

[Brumby Runner]

Backrow is pretty healthy with Valetini, Cale, Reimer, Scott, Tualima and Saumaisue. Not sure we'd need another.

Some good young locks coming through; McPherson and Cordukes but another with experience to back up Frost, Shaw and Neville might not go astray.

Hendren and Ramm would be good gets for the outside backs.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I wonder what Lachie Hooper signing for the Tahs means for his brother, if he does choose to return for the RWC...

Straight to the Tahs is my guess.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Not sure about that. Right now Tom is in a completely different category to his brother in terms of money and Clubs chasing him. Might help a bit I guess but I'd say the Brums would be front runners for him which is good.

The Tahs also have a guy like Doyle coming through who by 2027 I think can be locking down a 6 jersey for the Tahs. Locks are always in demand though which is where Hoopers long term future is I think.

 

[Filipo Daugunu]

I think the Brums would be looking at a couple of blokes from the NPC as depth pickups. Some good young prospects like McLeod but also a big ask if one injury hits to expect him to complete bulk minutes at a high level.

With Wright out, I'd be chasing Hendren from the Tahs really hard even if it was a loan for the year. He deserves Super Rugby mins going off his Super Rugby Aus showings and would benefit both sides. The other guys i'd go for is James Ramm as an outside back and Angus Scott Young as a backrow pickup.

Yes this is it what I was thinking. A couple of outside backs from the NPC (hopefully Aussie) just to provide some extra depth out wide. Lukas Ripley is an obvious one, spent the 2025 season injured at the Waratahs and then was let go. Played 18 matches for the Rebels, and has had a good year at Hawkes Bay. Can cover 13 and both wings reliably. Taine Roiri another Aussie was the pick of the locks at Manawatu, started the whole year and played really well BR. Hendren you would think as well but would be an easy signing that hasn’t happened yet, is there a glaring weakness? Jake Strachan in France is a guy that can cover the third 10 slot and 15 role reliably if needed, is contracted already though. Thought that Perth local Justin Landman impressed as well during Super AUS, but probably isnt pro-hardened enough. Byron Smith was the 10 down at Southland.

 

[WoodysRFC]

Byron Smith struggled for starts behind an 18 year old who is still eligible for NZ U18 rep sides, not sure he'd be the answer. Strachan was very good when he played for Southland though, he'd be a fine depth option.

 

[Uh huh]

I wonder what Lachie Hooper signing for the Tahs means for his brother, if he does choose to return for the RWC...

I imagine he'll go to the club the ARU is willing to pay the biggest top-up for him to go to so..... yeah

 

[Brumby Runner]

It's not quite that clean because the Brumbies decided on a different governance model with a board running the Brumbies. Their recruitment team is accountable to the board, not RA management.

Ultimately, I think the player themselves has most influence on where they end up, especially ones with a Wallaby topup

It'd be good to get some official clarification of the working arrangements.

The announcement of Joe Roff's appointment as Chairman of the new Board contained the following excerpts :

"Roff, who completed his two-year appointment as Rugby Australia President at April’s Annual General Meeting, will lead a new Brumbies Board that includes:

Doug Stuart, Senior Director at NetApp
Alexandra Spark, GAICD, FCA, non-executive Director, former Deloitte partner
Phil Waugh, Rugby Australia Chief Executive
Alexandra Batten, Rugby Australia Director, Strategy & Special Projects

With two further appointments still to be confirmed, the new Brumbies Board will be tasked with driving strategy, innovation and growth at the club.", and

"Thomson’s planned departure continues the high-performance and commercial integration of the Brumbies into an aligned Rugby Australia system, which was signed in 2024 as part of a broader strategic reset and move towards financial stabilisation across Australian Rugby."

The bolding is mine for emphasis.

Of note, high-performance is specifically mentioned in relation to integration with RA. I believe recruitment would be part of, and the perhaps the most important part of high-performance. It would seem to sit there more comfortably than in strategy, innovation and growth which are identified as continuing responsibilities of the local organisation.

Further note that RA has a significant presence on the Board in any case, through Waugh and Alexandra Batten. I haven't seen any further releases about the two spots not then filled.

All in all, clearly RA will have a very loud voice in the Brumbies recruitment activities, but just how loud? Pity the fans don't seem to deserve more transparancy in these processes.

 

[Slim 293]

Those last two spots on the board were filled by Danielle Harmer and former Brumby Tom Cusack...

Governance (Board, and annual reports) | Brumbies

brumbies.rugby

 

[Adam84]

assuming the list on the front page are all full-time squad members, it would look like the Brumbies actually have signed more players than the other Oz Super Rugby teams for 2026; outside of Noah and Hooper they’ve retained all their Wallabies and even added Edmed.

RA have done pretty well if they’re running the recruitment/retention I’d say