Six Brumbies in line for debut against Fijian Drua in Suva

February 12, 2025
161
Ultimate Rugby

Six players will potentially make their debuts for the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies in Round One of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific against the Fijian Drua in Suva on Saturday (kick-off 2.35pm AEDT).

Austin Anderson, who came through the club’s Academy program, will start at inside centre to make not only his Brumbies but also his Super Rugby Pacific debut. He will join tighthead prop Feao Fotuaika and loose forward Tuaina Taii Tualima in the lineup, who both make their club debuts having joined from Lyon and Melbourne Rebels respectively in the off-season.

Lington Ieli, Judah Saumaisue and Kadin Pritchard are also set for their Brumbies and Super Rugby debuts off the bench, with Ieli and Pritchard coming through the Brumbies Elite Development Program and Saumaisue arriving from the Rebels Elite Development Program at the end of last season.

Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham praised all the new debutants for their work ethic before getting the opportunity to pull on the famous ACT jersey for the first time.

“It’s great to have so many debuts this weekend. I’m delighted for every single one of them, they’ve all worked extremely hard in pre-season and deserve their chance,” Larkham said.

“It’s incredible to have the three guys (Anderson, Ieli and Pritchard) come through our Academy and into the first-team squad. It’s been part of the club’s ethos since the beginning, to provide the right environment to develop talent. The three new signings have also made an immense impact since their arrival and are going to be crucial additions this season.”

Larkham has made just three changes to the starting lineup that beat the Western Force 45-12 at Marist College last Friday, with hooker Billy Pollard, Fotuaika and Anderson coming into the team. Wallaby fly half Noah Lolesio also retains his place after an assured first-half performance.

The side from the capital were tied up at 12 points apiece at half-time against the Force, before kicking up a gear in the second half, scoring 33 unanswered points, including tries for both Anderson and Pritchard (two).

And Larkham was under no illusions of the challenge his side faces in heading over to Fiji, with only one side winning there in each of the last two Super Rugby Pacific seasons, after comprehensive pre-season preparations. He also praised Lolesio after his return to the fold at the start of this year.

“We’ve had a good pre-season training block and we performed well over the two Trial games,” he added.

“We still have things to improve on which were evident in the second Trial game. The challenge now is getting over to Fiji and dealing with the crowd, the heat and the humidity. We’ve heard plenty of stories about the crowds over there and the noise they bring to the stadiums, so we’ll be doing our best to keep their fans quiet and let our rugby do the talking.

“I’ve been really impressed with Noah since he’s resumed training after returning from the Wallabies. He’s in excellent physical condition and the choices he’s making on the field are the right ones. To have his voice and composure in such an important position is hugely beneficial.”

Round One, 2025 Super Rugby Pacific – Saturday 15^th February (2.35pm AEDT/3.35pm FST)

Fijian Drua vs Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies

HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji

Starting XV