Brumbies reveal their new captain
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Tom Cusack will become the 18th captain of the Brumbies when he leads the side out for the first time in Saturday’s Super Rugby AU Final replay against the Queensland Reds at GIO Stadium.
The born and bred Canberran loose forward has been named skipper for the First Nations Round with regular leader Allan Alaalatoa unavailable for selection for the next three matches.
His absence sees another Brumbies pathways product, Tom Ross earn his first start for his boyhood club, wearing the No.3 jersey alongside Wallabies Folau Fainga’a and Scott Sio in the front row.
A settled lock combination of Darcy Swain and Cadeyrn Neville are again named in the second row with Cusack in the run-out side for the first time this season, joining Rob Valetini and Pete Samu in the loose forward trio.
Vice-captain Nic White and Noah Lolesio will continue to build on their halves pairing for a fourth straight week, as will Irae Simone and Len Ikitau in the midfield.
Wearing the First Nations jersey for just the third time in Brumbies history, proud Indigenous man Andy Muirhead will line up on the right wing with Mack Hansen on the left and Tom Banks at fullback.
Ross’ inclusion in the starting side sees 2021 recruit Archer Holz in line for a potential Super Rugby debut off the pine, with ACT juniors Lachlan Lonergan and Harry Lloyd the other front row replacements.
Athletic young lock Nick Frost has been named in the matchday 23 with Jahrome Brown the other forward cover.
Last weekend’s match winner Ryan Lonergan will again be called upon as the back-up No.9, alongside teenage playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa and the electric Issak Fines-Leleiwasa who round out the squad.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: “It’s really special for Tommy and his family, a local Canberra family, I know they’ll all be really proud of him on Saturday when he leads the team out.”
“It’s another good sign of our investment in local talent, if you’re a young boy who wants to play for the Brumbies and one day you might be able to lead them out if you work hard and are resilience like Tommy Cusack has been for a number of years.
“Archer’s a big body, he has a real thirst for scrummaging and natural physicality in his game and I’m really pleased for Archer and his family, he’s worked hard and he’s a chance to make his debut on Saturday.”
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Mack Hansen, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack (captain), 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Tom Ross, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 Archer Holz, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Jahrome Brown, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa.
Date: Saturday, March 13
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.45 (18.45 AEST; 08.45 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Amy Perrett
TMO: James Leckie
