The Australian Conference Preview 2025

In this blog we look through each of the five four Aussie teams and the Fijian Drua to highlight all the must-know facts! Keep an eye out for our Draft Rugby Show as well where we will delve a bit deeper into the ins and outs of each team.

You can watch the Draft Rugby Show on youtube previewing the Australian and Fijian teams HERE.

In the meantime check out our New Hot Shit podcast discussion all the gun young players coming into super rugby HERE. Or if you like your bite sized videos you can watch each team individually HERE.

Brumbies

Full squad:

Props: Allan Alaalatoa, Tevita Alatini, Blake Schopp, James Slipper, Rhys van Nek, Harry Vella, Feao Fotuaika
Hookers: Liam Bowron, Lachlan Lonergan, Billy Pollard,
Locks: Nick Frost, Lachlan Hooper, Cadeyrn Neville, Lachlan Shaw,
Backrow: Charlie Cale, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Tuaina Tuilima, Rob Valetini,
Halfbacks: Harrison Goddard, Ryan Lonergan, Klayton Thorn,
Flyhalves: Jack Debreczeni, Noah Lolesio,
Centres: Austin Anderson, Hudson Creighton, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Ollie Sapsford,
Outside backs: Declan Meredith, Andy Muirhead, Ben O’Donnell, Corey Toole, Tom Wright, Kadin Pritchard, Shane Wilcox

New Faces:
Liam Bowron (promoted), David Feliuai (Rebels), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Rebels), Lachlan Hooper (promoted), Kadin Pritchard (promoted), Shane Wilcox (promoted), Tevita Alatini (promoted), Feao Fotuaika (Lyon, Tonga-6caps, Reds)

Losses:
Darcy Swain (Force), Fred Kaihea, Connal McInerney, Ed Kennedy, Jahrome Brown, Tamati Tua (Exeter)

Best 15:
James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa
Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville
Rob Valetini, Luke Reimer, Charlie Cale
Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio
David Feliuai, Len Ikitau
Corey Toole, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Stocks are rising:

David Feliuai - Seems like the logical choice to own the inside centre position left vacant by Tamati Tua. Harnessing his attacking flare and physical defence in the system that the Brumbies keep rolling out means the sky is the limit.
Luke Reimer - Last year was Reimer’s best season yet, proving to be so effective (primarily off the bench) that he was even in Wallabies talks. With Jahrome Brown moving on his game time should get a decent uptick this year. If he can translate his bench form into a starting jersey he will be in for a big year.

Stocks are falling:
Lachlan Lonergan - Lonergan is coming back from an awful ankle injury last season that gave Pollard the consistent game time he has been missing. Now that Pollard is a Wallaby he may struggle to get his jersey back.

Smokies:
Austin Anderson - Played for Waikato in the off-season before Tupaea’s return. He made 6 tackle busts and a line break in 18 mins v Hawkes Bay. Then playing at inside centre against Northland he made 4 tackle busts, 3 offloads, 1 line break, 1try assist and 5/5 tackles.
Tuaina Tuilima - With only two established locks in the squad in Frost and Neville, the Brumbies will need another one or two locks to play some solid minutes. Tuilima has the ability to play both lock and backrow so could be set for a big increase in game time compared to his past seasons.

Reds

Full squad:
Props: Sef Fa’agase, Zane Nonggorr, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Alex Hodgman, Trevor King, Matt Gibbon,
Hookers: Josh Nasser, Richie Asiata, George Blake, Matt Faessler, Max Craig,
Locks: Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Backrow: Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Connor Vest, Harry Wilson, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, John Bryant,
Scrumhalves: Tate McDermott, Louis Werchon, Kalani Thomas,
Flyhalves: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tom Lynagh, Jude Gibbs,
Centres: Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Frank Goldsbrough, Isaac Henry, Dre Pakeho,
Outside backs: Mason Gordon, Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Tim Ryan, Will McCulloch, Lachie Anderson

New Faces:
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Rebels), Filipo Daugunu (Rebels), Josh Canham (Rebels), Matt Gibbon (Rebels), Lachie Anderson (Rebels), Dre Pakeho (academy), Mason Gordon (Rebels), Jude Gibbs (Shute Shield), Heremaia Murray (Crusaders)

Losses:
Peni Ravai (Drua), Cormac Daly (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Connor Anderson (Chugoku Red Regulions), Lawson Creighton (Waratahs), Taj Annan (NRL), James O’Connor (Crusaders), Mac Grealy (Force), Floyd Aubrey (Souths Logan Magpies), Suliasi Vunivalu.

Best 15:
Alex Hodgman, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham
Liam Wright, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson
Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh
Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook
Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Stocks are rising:
Tom Lynagh - It’s time to chose a starting 10 and give him the keys to the kingdom. Lynagh is due first crack after getting a taste of international footy, although Harry MP has real promise, it’s hard to bet against the most established fly half.
Filipo Daugunu - No one other than Daugunu himself could have predicted just what an incredibly season 2024 would be for him. Excelling at both centre and wing, he may very well have played every Wallabies test if not for injury. If he can reclaim the same form, he should hold down one edge for the Reds all season and score plenty of tries to go with it.

Stocks are falling:
Tim Ryan - The Junkyard dog took the competition by storm last year. This season he faces stiffer internal competition with the likes of Anderson and Daugunu joining the team, so it may be harder to get the same foot hold in the starting side.
Angus Blyth - A new wallaby in 2024, it’s hard to see him using it as a launch pad with the arrival both Salakaia-Loto and Canham. Add Ryan smith in the mix and there are 4 international callabre locks in the one side.

Smokie:
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips - There are plenty of punters saying he could have the higher ceiling of the two young gun playmakers in Queensland. If he can win the coaches favour then he could be in for a big year.
Massimo De Lutiis - “Massimo” translates as “biggest or Greatest”, while “De Lutiis” translates as “Maximum or Maximum Power”. That’s about all you need to know! At 20 years old he already broke the bench press record for the Reds, and despite being uncapped he has featured in both the Wallabies training squad, and for Australia A. This kid ceiling is sky high, we expect to see him start making a name for himself on the field this year.

Waratahs

Full squad:
Props: Adrian Brown, Angus Bell, Daniel Botha, Isaac Kailea, Jack Barrett, Siosifa Amone, Taniela Tupou, Thomas Lambert, Brad Amituanai,
Hookers: David Porecki, Ethan Dobbins, Julian Heaven, Mahe Vailanu,
Locks: Angelo Smith, Ben Grant, Clem Halaholo, Miles Amatosero, Ale Aho,
Backrow: Charlie Gamble, Fergus Lee-Warner, Hugh Sinclair, Leafi Talatiana, Langi Gleeson, Mesu Kunavula, Rob Leota,
Halfbacks: Jack Grant, Jake Gordon, Teddy Wilson,
Flyhalves: Jack Bowen, Lawson Creighton, Tane Edmed,
Centres: Henry O’Donnell, Joey Walton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Lalakai Foketi, Jackson Ropata,
Outside Backs: Andrew Kellaway, Archie Saunders, Darby Lancaster, Max Jorgensen, Triston Reilly, James Hendren

New Faces:
Dan McKellar (coach, Leicester), Isaac Kailea (Rebels), Taniela Tupou (Rebels), Rob Leota (Rebels), Darby Lancaster (Rebels), Andrew Kellaway (Rebels), Joseph Suaalii (NRL), Ben Grant (Hurricanes), Angelo Smith (Rebels), Siosifa Amone (Force), Henry O’Donnell (Force), Ethan Dobbins (Rebels), Leafi Talataina (Rebels), Lawson Creighton (Reds), Ale Aho (Otago/West Harbour). Lukas Ripley (Rebels), Felix Kalapu (Forc,e Extended squad?)

Losses:
Darren Coleman (coach), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Force), Jed Holloway (MLR), Ned Hanigan (Provence), Will Harrison (Kintetsu), Mosese Tuipulotu (Edinburgh), Harry Wilson (Dragons RFC), Lachie Swinton (Bordeaux), Izaia Perese (Leicester), Dylan Pietsch (Force), Mark Nawaqanitawase (NRL), Tom Ross (Nice), Archer Holz (Scarlets), Theo Fourie, Vuate Karawalevu (Drua)

Best 15:
Angus Bell, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou
Ben Grant, Miles Amatosero
Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson
Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed,
Lalakai Foketi, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Darby Lancaster, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway

Stocks are rising:
Miles Amatosero - In his second year of Super Rugby it is time Amatosero makes his mark. Last year he had Holloway and Hanigan to learn from, this year a lot will rest on his shoulders.
Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i - The 21 year old has already played 66 games for the Roosters in the NRL, for Samoa and for the NSW state of origin side in Rugby League. Last year he played his first professional game of rugby union for the Wallabies against England and bagged the Man of the Match honors. This kid is a freak, get some popcorn and enjoy the show.

Stocks are falling:
Julian Heaven - What an outstanding find Heaven was last year in the midst of an injury crisis. Sadly for him, both Porecki and Vailanu are now fighting fit, and with Heaven leaving the sky blue at the end of the year, it’s hard to see him getting as much of a shot this time round.
Joey Walton - Went from strength to strength last season. Although he is being named to start at 12 in the first trial of the season, I find it hard to see him getting really consistent game time with Suali’i floating around the centre combination as well.

Smokies:
Mesu Kunavula - Mesu played for the Fijian Rugby 7s team at the 2016 Dubai Rugby Sevens Tournament and is a silver medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Playing at lock or backrow his raw athleticism could be a huge point of difference.

Western Force

Full squad:
Props: Ryan Coxon, Harry Hoopert, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Atunaisa Moli, Marley Pearce, Tom Robertson, Tiaan Tauakipulu,
Hookers: Nic Dolly, Tom Horton, Brandon Paenga-Amosa,
Locks: Sam Carter, Lopeti Faifua, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams, Josh Thompson
Backrow: Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Reed Prinsep, Papillon Sevele, Carlo Tizzano, Mitchell Watts,
Scrumhalves: Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Doug Philipson, Henry Robertson, Nic White
Flyhalves: Max Burey, Ben Donaldson, Reesjan Pasitoa,
Centres: Bayley Kuenzle, Ronan Leahy, Divad Palu, Matt Proctor, Hamish Stewart, Patelesio Tomkinson,
Outside backs: Mac Grealy, Dylan Pietsch, George Poolman, Harry Potter,

New Faces:
Harry Johnson-Holmes (Waratahs), Josh Thompson (West Harbour), Vaiolini Ekuasi (Rebels), Divad Palu (Rebels), Nick Champion de Crespigny (Castres), Nic Dolly (Leicester), Darcy Swain (Brumbies), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Montpellier), Tom Robertson (Oxford), Matt Proctor (Rebels), Dylan Pietsch (Waratahs), Sio Tomkinson (Dragons), Henry Robertson, Mac Grealy (Reds).

Losses:
Santiago Medrano (Vannes), Izack Rodda (Provence), Tim Anstee, Chase Tiatia (Japan), Ben Funnell, Taqele Naiyaravoro (Narbonne), Ian Prior, Michael Wells (retired), Sam Spink (Saracens), Feleti Kaitu’u (France), Nikolai Foliaki, Siosifa Amone (Waratahs), Angus Wagner, Ollie Callan, Charlie Hancock

Best 15:
Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes,
Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams,
Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep,
Nic White, Ben Donaldson,
Hamish Stewart, Patelesio Tomkinson
Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Max Burey

Stocks are rising:
Jeremy Williams - The best Wallabies debutant of 2024 is in for another big year with the ever improving force. Williams has a big engine and is a rock at set piece. Expect the Force to build their pack around him.
Nick Champion de Crespigny - 28-year-old back rower, spent the last 4 seasons with Clermont where he made the grand final in the first year playing at 7. Played 39 matches in his first two years, 38 as a starter. Doesn’t look like he played as much in the last season or two.

Stocks are falling:
Tom Horton - Horton controlled the hooking jersey last season, but with both Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Nic Dolly joining the side he will surely struggle to get a look in.

Smokies:
Reesjan Pasitoa - PLEASE! Now 23yrs old. Let’s see him play! Missed 2023 with an ACL injury then dislocated his elbow on the eve of 2024 costing him another season. This kid had absolutely insane wraps on him when heentered the Brumbies system in 2020. Apparently he has bulked up enough to play at either 12 as well as his more natural 10 role. Fingers crossed this gives him the opportunity for more game time.

Fijian Drua

Full Squad:
Prop: Emosi Tuqiri, Haereiti Hetet, Livai Natave, Mesake Doge, Samuela Tawake, Meli Tuni, Peni Ravai,
Hooker: Tevita Ikanivere (cc), Mesulame Dolokoto, Zuriel Togiatama,
Lock: Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Sailosi Vukalokalo, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
Backrow: Meli Derenalagi, Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa, Motikiai Murray, Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Joseva Tamani
Scrumhalves: Frank Lomani (cc), Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala,
Flyhalves: Caleb Muntz, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Kemu Valetini, Isikeli Rabitu,
Centres: Iosefo Masi, Inia Tabuavou, Waqa Nalaga, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre,
Outside backs: Selestino Ravutaumada, Epeli Momo, Taniela Rakuro, Ilaisa Droasese, Junior Ratuva, Vuate Karawalevu, Ponipate Loganimasi

New Faces:

Glenn Jackson (Coach), Peni Ravai (Reds), Joseva Tamani (Colomiers), Inia Tabuavou (Racing 92), Ponipate Loganimasi (Sevens), Vuate Karawalevu (Waratahs)

Losses:

Jone Koroiduadua (USA), Moses Sorovi, Apisalome Vota, Michael Naitokani, Waqa Nalaga

Best 15:
Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Donge,
Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila,
Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata,
Frank Lomani, Caleb Muntz,
Inia Tabuavou, Iosefo Masi,
Ponipate Loganimasi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Vuate Karawalevu

Stocks are rising:
Joseva Tamani - Joseva was a standout for the Drua in 2023. It’s a huge signing to have him back. There is a huge amount of competition but hopefully we can see him make a starting jersey his own to rack up some big attacking stats.

Stocks are falling:
Meli Derenalagi - No longer the captain, I don’t think form alone has ever kept him safe in the incredibly contested Fiji Drua Backrow.

Smokies:
Inia Tabuavou - They need a centre, and at only 22 years the former Racing 92 player played the majority of the game time there for their international side last year. If not Inia, then the only other obvious option is Kemu Valetini.
Ponipate Loganimasi - The 2024 Olympic Silver medalist made his debut in 7s in the 2023-24 season and scored 35 tries, ending the year as the only Fijian in the World 7s dream team. He then got brought into the Flying Fijian side due to an injury to Ravutaumada and scored two tries in the Pacific Nations Cup final win against Japan. He then started three of their final 4 internationals.

Written by your local rugby nerd Harrison Dale.