The NSW Waratahs have announced a 28-player squad for their second trial match of 2026 against the Brumbies at Marist College in Canberra on Thursday (1.30pm kick-off AEDT, live on Stan Sport).
Number eight Pete Samu will make his first appearance for the Waratahs, against his former club, with eight changes in total from the starting XV that defeated the Reds 49-19 in Brisbane on Saturday. Wallabies Jake Gordon, Max Jorgensen, Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii and Andrew Kellaway also come into the run-on team.
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar was happy with his side’s showing in Brisbane and is expecting a much-improved Brumbies performance, following their 42-12 defeat to the Western Force in Perth last Friday.
“Team selection for Round 1 is going to be extremely challenging, which is exactly what you want as a Super Rugby coach,” McKellar said.
“We were pleased with the performance and application against the Reds, but we know that trial matches aren’t necessarily a true reflection of where teams are at.
“From a personal perspective, I just really enjoyed seeing the boys finally playing against some opposition other than themselves.
“We’re now looking forward to testing ourselves against the Brumbies and we’re expecting them to name a strong side, in front of their own fans in Canberra.”
Seven of the starting lineup from the Reds trial at the weekend keep their place, including the entire front row in Tom Lambert, Ethan Dobbins and Daniel Botha.
In the second row, Matt Philip again leads the side but shifts to tighthead lock, with Ben Grant coming into the loosehead side.
Clem Halaholo retains the number six shirt following his try-scoring display at the weekend. Charlie Gamble, man of the match in both of his previous games of rugby against the British & Irish Lions for the Waratahs and First Nations & Pasifika XV, starts at openside flanker, with Samu anchoring the scrum at eight.
In the halves, Gordon is partnered by Jack Debreczeni, who is set to also feature for the Tahs for the first time and against his former club.
Joey Walton retains his spot at inside centre after an impressive performance at the weekend, with Suaalii partnering him in the centres.
Harry Potter again lines up on the right wing, after scoring an intercept try in only the second minute of his first appearance for the club against the Reds, with Jorgensen named on the left wing after signing his new, five-year deal with the Waratahs and Rugby Australia last week. Kellaway completes the team at full back, where he regularly appeared for the Wallabies in 2025.
13 players take their place on the bench, with wing Triston Reilly set to make his first appearance of the season off the bench.
The match on Thursday will act as the Waratahs’ final piece of preparation ahead of the start of the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season, where we face the Reds in Round 1 of at Allianz Stadium on Friday 13 February.
You can buy tickets for the NSW Waratahs’ Round 1 fixture against the Reds at Allianz Stadium on Friday 13 February here
ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs
Trial match, Thursday 5 February, 1.30pm kick-off AEDT
Marist College Canberra, 27 Marr St, Pearce, ACT 2607
Starting XV:
- Tom Lambert
- Ethan Dobbins
- Daniel Botha
- Ben Grant
- Matt Philip ©
- Clem Halaholo
- Charlie Gamble
- Pete Samu
- Jake Gordon
- Jack Debreczeni
- Max Jorgensen
- Joey Walton
- Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii
- Harry Potter
- Andrew Kellaway
Replacements:
16. Folau Faingaa
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Apolosi Ranawai
19. Angus Blyth
20. Leafi Talataina
21. Jamie Adamson
22. Teddy Wilson
23. Lawson Creighton
24. Sid Harvey
25. James Hendren
26. George Poolman
27. Triston Reilly
28. Ioane Moananu
