Muirhead set to win 100th Super Rugby cap against the Reds

April 09, 2025
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Ultimate Rugby

Brisbane-born winger Andy Muirhead is set to win his 100^th Super Rugby Pacific cap for the Brumbies against his hometown club the Reds in Saturday night’s Round 9 fixture at Suncorp Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm).

There are two changes to the starting lineup from our previous game against the Highlanders in Round 7, with Tuaina Taii Tualima starting at number eight. Rob Valetini shifts to blindside flanker and Tom Hooper into the second row. Ryan Lonergan also comes into the team at scrum half.

Head coach Stephen Larkham praised Muirhead’s attitude ahead of his century of caps and reflected on the team’s first bye of the year in Round 8.

“Andy is a consummate professional who gives his all day in, day out for the Brumbies. He deserves recognition for reaching this milestone, it’s an incredible achievement,” Larkham said.

“He will come full circle this Saturday in reaching 100 caps in the place where he grew up and I’m sure he will have plenty of family and friends there cheering him on. The rest of the playing group will give their all to try to make it a memorable occasion for him.

“The bye week last week was welcomed, it’s given us a chance to recover and get our ducks in a row for the second half of the season. The Reds have been in good form in 2025 and we’re looking forward to taking them on.”

Muirhead, 31, moved to Canberra in 2017 to play for John I Dent Cup club, the Canberra Royals. Later that year, he made his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies off the bench in a 19-10 win over the Kings at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.

Since, the winger has gone on to become a senior figure of the playing group and a fan favourite, scoring 33 tries, including two in last year’s quarter-final win over the Highlanders. This season, he is phenomenal form, amassing six tries and three assists in seven appearances.

In the pack on Saturday, Tualima is set for his first game since dengue fever and the birth of his first child. On the bench, Lachlan Lonergan returns after missing Round 7 due to an HIA, while Feao Fotuaika and Declan Meredith also rejoin the team.

2025 Smartech Super Rugby Pacific Round 9 – Saturday 12^th April (7.35pm kick-off AEDT)

Queensland Reds vs Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Starting XV: