Tane Edmed gets the nod at fly-half and gets his first chance to don Brumbies colours in the team’s first trial in Perth on Friday, 30 January, ahead of the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific Season.  

Head Coach Stephen Larkham has named a squad featuring a mix of established Super Rugby players, Wallabies, and boom rookies. The head coach has dangled opportunities for all players to stake their claim for playing time in this trial, with one eye on Round 1 of the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season on 14 February, also against the Force in Perth. 

Declan Meredith moves from his usual fly-half role to start at fullback, giving the team extra playmaking options with star fullback Tom Wright still on the mend. 

In the forwards, Lington Leli and Rhys van Nek will start at prop, stepping in for James Slipper (rested) and Allan Alaalatoa (managing an injury) after recent stints with Australia A. Chris Mickelson earns the hooker jersey following a standout season in the John I Dent Cup, where he took home the Macdougall Medal. 

The locks Harvey Cordukes and Lachlan Shaw form a towering second row pairing, while the backrow bruisers of Tuaina Taii Tualima, Rory Scott, and Charlie Cale combines physicality, relentless work rate, and attacking threat. 

At halfback, Klayton Thorn will link with Edmed, looking to spark the enticing Brumbies backline. Outside backs Kye Oates and Shane Wilcox take the wings, with Oates bringing his experience from last year’s First Nations & Pasifika XV clash against the British & Irish Lions. 

In midfield, the dynamic Jarrah McLeod continues his rapid rise alongside the dependable Hudson Creighton at outside centre, both eager to show their wares in a midfield without the likes of Len Ikitau in 2026.  

Fans won’t want to miss this chance to see the new-look Brumbies in action, with the trial match live streamed via the Western Force Facebook page from Perth. 

Match Details  

ACT Brumbies v Western Force – Trial Match  
Date: Friday, 30 January  
Time: 7.35PM AEDT 
Location: Scotch College Playing Fields, Swanbourne  
Live Stream: Western Force Facebook    

ACT Brumbies vs. Western Force 

LOOSEHEAD PROP – Lington Ieli  HOOKER – Chris Mickelson  TIGHTHEAD PROP – Rhys van Nek  LEFT LOCK – Lachlan Shaw  RIGHT LOCK – Harvey Cordukes  LEFT FLANKER – Tuaina Tualima  RIGHT FLANKER – Rory Scott  NUMBER EIGHT – Charlie Cale  SCRUMHALF – Klayton Thorn  FLYHALF – Tane Edmed  LEFT WING – Kye Oates  INSIDE CENTRE – Jarrah McLeod  OUTSIDE CENTRE – Hudson Creighton  RIGHT WING – Shane Wilcox  FULLBACK – Declan Meredith

Replacements

16. Liam Bowron  
17. Blake Schoupp  
18. Tevita Alatini  
19. Cadeyrn Neville  
20. Eli Langi  
21. Dan Nelson  
22. Andy Muirhead  
23. Kadin Pritchard  
24. Moses Sorovi  
25. Austin Anderson  
26. Toby Macpherson  
27. Judah Saumaisue  
28. Darcy Breen