Brumbies 2025

[Merrow]

Deal done

Slipper extends time with Brumbies as he chases Crockett's Super Rugby cap record

brumbies.rugby

 

[Wilson]

Lolesio back this week:

Brumbies get major Wallaby boost ahead of Super Rugby showdown

Star playmaker Noah Lolesio is set to return to bolster the Brumbies in their crunch match against the Crusaders, with both teams chasing a crucial...

www.rugbypass.com

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

That's great. It seemed grim the way he was on the field at the time.

Slipper signing is a no brainer. He's playing the best footy of the last 3 years.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Reports are currently around that the Brumbies have made an offer to Tane Edmed for 2026. I have never been really impressed with Tane but I do think he will improve if he comes here. And there is a gap after Noah leaves between Declan and the younger players coming through, Dillon from the U20s and one of the Oates brothers, Chase I think. I wouldn't be at all put out if MacKellar makes a late bid for Tane and he remains at the Tahs, but I wonder who else is around who could provide backup to Declan as he rises to the heights of best No 10 in the country. Personally, I'd prefer to keep Jack Debreczini on the books.

 

[Rudderless]

Congratulations to former captain Sam Carter on an incredible career, after he announced his retirement from rugby this morning.

Carter played 122 times for the club during his eight years here in Canberra, making his debut in 2011 against the Melbourne Rebels. He started in our infamous win over the British & Irish Lions at GIO Stadium in 2013.

 

[Crashy]

Any injuries from last night’s game?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

When Slipper came off he was with the Dr but I don’t remember them mentioning anything. Could have gone into it with some sort of minor issue which at this point of the season would be standard.

 

[Rudderless]

Next Saturday 7.35pm v Hurricanes in Canberra

 

[Wilson]

Pollard re-signs through to 2027:

Billy Pollard joins growing Wallabies group to re-sign

www.rugby.com.au

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

25yo Pollard by the 27 RWC will be at a Bell type level IMO.

He has the X factor moments and with physical maturity hitting he can be anything.

 

[Dctarget]

He's only a year younger than Bell, he's a good player but if he were a Bell type (i.e. world class) he'd be showing it by now (as Bell did).

 

[dru]

What we are looking for is class and quality. If he tops out at the Bell level he's worth sticking with. Easily.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Bell is an outlier. He was world class in the front row at 21 which is phenomenal given the physical requirements of the position. These guys usually only start looking capable at 22,23 in Super Rugby then Test level from 24+. They need the time and volume for the body to develop

Matt Faessler only kicked in at around 24 as well and Zane Nonggorr at 24 is starting to look like a genuine top Test Front Rower. I said it on another thread but a guy like Botha at 23 is physically looking up to being a starting Super Rugby Prop it after a couple of years developing.

The piggies are dealing big gnarly dudes and while you may think gee he's a big 20yo they don't have the maturity in the body or head to really get into the grind with the experienced 27-31yo for 80 mins.

 

[Dctarget]

yeah but you said a Bell type level. None of those players are at Bell's level and probably won't be. Bell is a level above our regular Wallabies. But yeah, he could be a very good player for the Wallabies.

 

[Wilson]

Speaking of someone who is very much on Bell's level, Valetini is reportedly still considering a sabbatical next year:

From Canberra to the Cote d’Azur? Wallabies star Valetini eyes French sojourn

Wallabies star Rob Valetini is weighing up a sabbatical in France next season, while Brumbies teammate Billy Pollard has recommitted to Australian rugby through to the home World Cup.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

It was reported around the time Bell took his that Valetini's wasn't going to happen, but it sounds like the option is still in play.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Getting a bit into 2026 here now, but if Rob leaves on sabbatical alongside Tom Hooper moving overseas, then there is a big hole to fill in the power plays that those two offer. Charlie Cale when fit will bring the finesse and flair but neither Rory Scott nor Luke Reimer are hard nuts. Tuaima Tualima shows promise and has some size and aggression about him, and Judah Saumaisue has shown promise but beyond those, it is very much work in progress for players from the U20s like Lachlan Hooper, Beau Morrison and Eli Langi.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Have any of the players made their 5th semi-final, along with 2 super rugby au GFs?

 

[Wilson]

Probably more on the lock side if things but will still likely be part of the solution here - I'm pretty keen to see what MacPherson can do next year. I'm still a little surprised we haven't seen him yet this year after he returned from Japan early, but he should be in a good place to debut next year. I don't think he'll be getting too much game time early, but could be a very good injection from the bench once he has his feet at this level.

The other one is Jack Harley - I thought he was an absolute arsehole (in the best possible way) of an 8 for the Brumbies u19s in 2023, is he still with the wider squad now?

 

[Caputo]

My biggest surprise an unheralded 20 year old rookie Prop in the Finals. Looks to have developed over this year.

 

[Major Tom]

My biggest surprise an unheralded 20 year old rookie Prop in the Finals. Looks to have developed over this year.

He definitely doesn't look out of place. He's still yet to declare his allegiance to Aus or Fiji for future honors.