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