Brumbies playing the Waratahs in May 2025. Photo: Jayzie Photography.
Rugby Australia has made no secret of their desire to do as much as possible to ensure the Waratahs become a Super Rugby powerhouse.
The Waratahs, with the base of Australia’s largest city from which to recruit players, have more often than not been perennial underachievers.
This year, they finished eighth.
In contrast, the Brumbies, with the smallest base among Australia’s four Super Rugby teams, made the semi-finals this season before finishing third.
There’s a fair contrast between the Brumbies and the Waratahs when it comes to on-field success, and it’s been that way for a while.
The Brumbies playing the Waratahs during the 2022 season, at Canberra Stadium. Photo: Jennifer Andrew.
With Rugby Australia now in control of both the Brumbies and the Waratahs, there has been a suspicion that NSW will be favoured over the Brumbies in a number of areas, including player recruitment and resources.
Whether it is reality or not, there is that perception.
The allocation of players from the Melbourne Rebels did little to ease the concerns that the Brumbies were playing third fiddle to the Waratahs and the Queensland Reds.
The Reds’ signing of Carter Gordon is interesting, given they already boast Wallabies fly-half Tom Lynagh.
In the lead-up to the 2026 season, the Waratahs have undergone significant turnover among their playing personnel.
NSW has recruited several big names, including Pete Samu, Angus Blyth, Harry Potter, Matt Philip, and Crusaders player Ioane Moananu, for next season.
Tom Wright offloads the ball in the Brumbies’ win over the Highlanders on 8 June at GIO Stadium in 2024. Photo: Jayzie Photography.
In contrast, despite the loss of Tom Hooper, Noah Lolesio and Len Ikitau, coupled with the injury to Tom Wright, the Brumbies have signed just one player from outside their system, Tane Edmed.
Edmed, who had his struggles on the Wallabies’ spring tour, joins the Brumbies from the Waratahs, where he didn’t exactly set the world on fire.
Having watched plenty of Declan Meredith in club football over the past couple of years, Edmed will have a battle on his hands to replace Lolesio at number 10.
Brumbies fly-half Noah Lolesio is heading to Japan in 2026. Photo: Brumbies
The remainder of the Brumbies’ new signings have come from within their existing pathways and academy programs.
Ollie Sapsford deserves an opportunity at outside centre, while Ikitau is away for the 2026 season.
The promotion of Uni Norths hooker Chris Mickelson should be applauded as another locally grown player gets an opportunity.
One thing that Rugby Australia can’t control is the Brumbies’ spirit.
Time and time again, this team has proven they are more than capable of overcoming teams with greater resources.
The ACT-NSW rivalry was established well before the Brumbies came onto the scene; if anything, it intensified with the advent of Super Rugby.
With Rugby Australia now running both teams, it may have just moved a notch up.
