The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies under-16s have confirmed their match-day 23 to face the Western Force on Saturday at Brumbies HQ (3pm kick-off).<\/p>\n
The Brumbies have made five changes to the starting lineup, notably in the halves, with Marist scrum half Jono Harrington named alongside Daramalan\u2019s Tom Connolly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With their sights set on this weekend against the Force, after a bye round last weekend, head coach Paul Mead expects a tight encounter in Canberra.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been really impressed with the way the boys have pulled together after Round 1. The commitment has been first-class, and they\u2019ve worked really hard on the training pitch to tidy a few things up,\u201d Mead said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Force\u2019s scoreline against the Waratahs was similar to ours, so we\u2019re expecting a tight affair on Saturday. Decision-making in the opposition\u2019s 22 will be a key factor in the final result.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The front row remains unchanged from Round 1, with Canberra schoolboys Geoff Olivetti, Levi Park, and Sam Filipovic returning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Marist\u2019s Zavier D\u2019Arcy enters the starting team to accompany captain Cooper Leslie in the locks, shifting Jack Maguire out to blindside flanker. Will Bullock (flanker) and Patrick Hill (number eight) accompany Maguire to complete the back row.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Canberra Grammar\u2019s Jesse Thorp shifts to the inside centre position, with Marist\u2019s Laine Jud-Brettingham brought into the team at outside centre.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rounding out the changes is St. Edmunds outside back William Hall, who comes into the squad on the right wing with Cayden Cross (left wing) and Oliver Anderson (fullback) returning to their usual positions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bench features a mix of players from schools and clubs in the ACT & SNSW region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Griffith youngster Michael Parisotto and Canberra Royals junior Maka Muchenagumbo join St. Edmunds forwards Elliot Brown, Harry Borton and Ezra Taiatini as cover for the forward pack.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ben Callaway (Marist), Kaleb Matthews (St. Edmunds) and Charlie Ravouvou (Daramalan) complete the match day 23 as cover in the back positions.<\/p>\n