Brumbies (rugby)
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The ACT Brumbies (known from 2005–2022 as simply the Brumbies) is an Australian professional
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...
team based in
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,
Australian Capital Territory The Australian Capital Territory (commonly abbreviated as ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) until 1938, is a landlocked federal territory of Australia containing the national capital Canberra and some surrounding townships. ...
(ACT), The team competes in
Super Rugby Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Building on various Southern Hem ...
and named for the
feral horses A feral horse is a free-roaming horse of domesticated stock. As such, a feral horse is not a wild animal in the sense of an animal without domesticated ancestors. However, some populations of feral horses are managed as wildlife, and these ...
which inhabit the capital's hinterland. The team represents the ACT, as well as the Far South Coast and Southern Inland regions of
New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
(NSW). The Brumbies were formed in
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to provide a third Australian franchise for the newly formed Super 12 (now Super Rugby) competition. It was predicted that the Brumbies, made up of so-called 'reject' – players not wanted by the other two teams – would perform poorly. Since then, they have enjoyed more success than all the other Australian teams combined, reaching seven finals and winning three. The Brumbies are traditionally known for their strong tactical kicking, set piece play, ball retention, and pressuring of opponents in their own half. The Brumbies are one of only two Super Rugby teams to win 200 games. The Brumbies play in navy blue, white and gold kits. The team plays at
Canberra Stadium Canberra Stadium (GIO Stadium for commercial reasons) is a facility primarily used for rugby league and rugby union games, located adjacent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the capital of Australia. It is the largest sports v ...
(formerly known as Bruce Stadium) in Canberra, and are currently coached by
Stephen Larkham Stephen Larkham (born 29 May 1974) is a retired Australian rugby union professional player, currently in the role of head coach for Brumbies. He spent his career with the Brumbies in Super Rugby, for whom he played from the inception of the pro ...


History


Early years of rugby in ACT

Rugby union football has a long history in the region around what is now Canberra. The
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opened their 1899 tour of Australia with a match in
Goulburn Goulburn ( ) is a regional city in the Southern Tablelands of the Australian state of New South Wales, approximately south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Canberra. It was proclaimed as Australia's first inland city through letters pate ...
. However, it was not until 1937 that the ACT Rugby Union (ACTRU) was finally established. Lieutenant-Colonel H. C. H. Robertson was the first President of the ACTRU. The
First Grade First grade (also called Grade One, called ''Year 2'' in England or Primary 2 in Scotland) is the first grade in elementary school and the first school year after kindergarten. Children are usually 6–7 years old in this grade. Examples by r ...
competition was started on 30 April 1938. Four clubs playing in the inaugural season:
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, Easts, the Royal Military College (RMC), and Norths. There were strict eligibility rules for each of the four teams: *
University A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...
players were required to be graduates or undergraduates at a university (at the time,
Canberra University College Canberra University College was a tertiary education institution established in Canberra by the Australian government and the University of Melbourne in 1930. At first it operated in the Telopea Park School premises after hours. Most of the initi ...
, operated by the
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, was the only university in Canberra); * Only service personnel, not members of RMC staff, were entitled join RMC; and, * Easts and Norths players had to be residentially qualified for two months. Also in 1938, a representative ACT side faced off against the
All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks ( mi, Ōpango), represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. The team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987 ...
, with
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scoring the ACT's only try in a 5–56 loss. Five ACT players were chosen for New South Wales Country in their 1966 match against the
British & Irish Lions The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national ...
at
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: * Barry Sibley (
Canberra Royals The Canberra Royals Rugby Football Club is an Australian rugby union club, based in Canberra. Club history Canberra Royals has a proud tradition and identifies closely with the Royals Foundation Team of 1949. Our current Club Patron is life me ...
); * David Grimmond (
Queanbeyan Whites The Queanbeyan Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union club based in Queanbeyan, New South Wales. They have earned the nickname 'Queanbeyan Whites' due to the colour of their playing jersey. The club competes in the ACTRU Premier Division. C ...
); * Mel Dunn ( Ainslie Rugby Football Club); * Peter Ryan (
Queanbeyan Whites The Queanbeyan Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby union club based in Queanbeyan, New South Wales. They have earned the nickname 'Queanbeyan Whites' due to the colour of their playing jersey. The club competes in the ACTRU Premier Division. C ...
); and, * Bruce Bailey ( Goulburn Dirty Reds). The first international victory for the ACT was in 1973, when they defeated
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17-6 after trailing 0–3 at half time. The ACT team were praised for their hard work, stamina, and willingness to take shots at goal when they were on offer. In 1978, the ACT defeated Wales national rugby union team, Wales, who were Six Nations Championship, Five Nations champions at the time, with a late penalty goal to win 21-20 after trailing 6–16 at half time. Head coac
Colin Maxwell
explained that his team beat the best team in the world by being "the first team in Australia to take them on up the guts", with the ACT forwards starving the Welsh of possession and the team ensuring territorial advantage through pressure on the Welsh kickers. Tactical kicking, ball retention, and pressuring opponents in their own half are still considered to be "The Brumbies' ... traditional strength[s]". The ACT adopted the name 'Kookaburras' in 1989. The Kookaburras defeated New South Wales Waratahs, the Waratahs 44–28 at Concord Oval, Sydney's Concord Oval in 1994. The New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs team was filled with international representatives, which made the Kookaburras win all the more impressive, and led the way for the ACT becoming a professional franchise. Concerns over player depth in the ACT were assuaged when the ACT reserve team beat the New South Wales reserve team. ACT became Australia's third provincial team with the start of
Super Rugby Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Building on various Southern Hem ...
, known officially as the Brumbies.


Super 12 era: 1996–2005

In the inaugural Super 12 season, under coach Rod Macqueen, the Brumbies finished fifth on the table after the regular season, narrowly missing out on a finals position. The following season was even more successful as the Brumbies entered the 1997 Super 12 Final, but lost to the Auckland Blues. Eddie Jones (rugby), Eddie Jones took over as head coach in 1998, but the Brumbies fell to tenth place on the 1998 season ladder. However, the following season saw a big improvement, as they finished fifth for the second time in their Super rugby history, just missing out on the finals. In 2000, the Brumbies made it to the 2000 Super 12 Final for the second time, and were actually hosting it as well. They were however beaten by the Crusaders, losing 19 to 20. In 2001 they backed up their good performance in 2000 to again enter the final, this time against the Sharks from Durban. The Brumbies won the match, and in doing so, became the first team outside of New Zealand to be crowned Super 12 champions (and the only such team in the Super 12 era; the Bulls (rugby), Bulls of South Africa won the 2007 Super 14). That year the British Lions also came to Australia, and played a match against the Brumbies. The combined strength of four nations was pitted against the Brumbies Second XV with the tourists winning by just two points, 30 to 28. David Nucifora took over as head coach at the Brumbies for the 2002 season. Under Nucifora the Brumbies entered their third Super 12 final in a row, again against the Crusaders who had defeated them in the 2000 final. The Crusaders won the match, 31 to 13. The following season, going for four straight final appearances, the Brumbies fell just short, being knocked out in the semi-finals by the Blues. They did however go on to beat Fiji and Tonga later that year. In 2004 the Brumbies finished at the top of the Super 12 table, six points clear of the next best team. The Brumbies hosted the 2004 Super 12 Final as well, and were to face the Crusaders once again. Though this time, the Brumbies won, 47 to 38 in front of a record crowd at Canberra Stadium. During the off-season the ACT Rugby Union was renamed the ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union, and the name of the team was changed to Brumbies Rugby. Laurie Fisher took over as coach for the 2005 season. After an undefeated run in the early stages of the season, injuries began to mount up and the Brumbies eventually finished fifth, missing out on the finals. The following year the competition was expanded to the Super 14, introducing one new team from Australia and one new team from South Africa.


Super 14 era: 2006–2010

In 2006 the Brumbies finished sixth, missing out on the finals by 1 point, having never dropped out of the top four all season prior to the last round. Later that year the Brumbies played in the inaugural Australian Provincial Championship (APC). In their opening game they defeated the NSW Waratahs 14–13 at Viking Park. This win snapped a 3-game losing streak against their traditional rivals. They then went on to defeat the Western Force 25–10, again at Viking Park. Despite narrowly losing, 20–19, to the Queensland Reds on the road in Brisbane, the Brumbies won the right to face the Reds in the final back in Viking Park. They won this more comfortably, 42–17, securing the inaugural APC. The side failed to make the playoffs at all during Super 14, though they never finished lower than ninth.


Super Rugby era: 2011–present

After a succession of coaches over the same period, including Laurie Fisher, Andy Friend and Tony Rea, former South Africa national rugby union team, South Africa coach Jake White took over as coach of the side in April 2011, signing a four-year deal with the club. However, he was granted a release from his contract in September 2013, with two years left on his four-year contract. In 2012, the Brumbies became the first Australian Super Rugby team to host an international fixture against a touring side. On 12 June, the Brumbies played Wales national rugby union team, Wales at
Canberra Stadium Canberra Stadium (GIO Stadium for commercial reasons) is a facility primarily used for rugby league and rugby union games, located adjacent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the capital of Australia. It is the largest sports v ...
while Wales was on their 2012 Wales rugby union tour of Australia, 2012 Summer tour. Wales won 25–15. The Brumbies returned to form in the 2012 Super Rugby season, 2012, finishing second in the Australian conference, and seventh in the overall standings, narrowly missing the final-six and a place in the quarter finals. In 2013, the Brumbies and the other Australian super rugby teams played the
British & Irish Lions The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national ...
as part of the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, Lions' 2013 tour to Australia. The Brumbies earned a hard-fought 14–12 victory, the first defeat of the Lions on their tour. The Brumbies continued their strong performances in 2013 by finishing first in the Australian conference and 3rd on the ladder to make their first finals appearance since they won the Super title in 2004. After defeating the Cheetahs (rugby union), Cheetahs in a close home final 15 – 13, the Brumbies travelled to Pretoria to face the Bulls (rugby union), Bulls and again achieved victory, 23–26. The team had to travel from South Africa to New Zealand to meet the Chiefs (rugby union), Waikato Chiefs for the championship final the following week, and the Chiefs proved to be too strong, winning the final 27–22. Following the end of the Super Rugby season the Brumbies sent a squad captained by Robbie Coleman to the invitational 2013 World Club 7s, World Club 7s in England. The Brumbies won the series, defeating the Auckland Blues 17–14 in the final. Henry Speight was named the player of the tournament. During the 2017 Super Rugby season, the Brumbies were one of three Australian franchises threatened with contraction when the Australian Rugby Union prevailed upon competition organiser SANZAAR to reduce the number of Australian sides in the competition from five to four after that season. The ARU later announced that the Brumbies would remain in the competition.


Colours and name

The Brumbies traditional colours are navy blue, white and gold. Their primary jersey is navy with gold trim, with navy shorts and socks. The alternate jersey is gold and yellow, generally worn for away matches. The Brumbies also have a traditional jersey which is used for games against fellow Australian Super 12 foundation teams NSW Waratahs, NSW and Queensland Reds, Queensland, which reflects the original home jersey worn between 1996 and 2005. This features a navy 'saddle' across the shoulders and white below chest level, with gold trim. The primary jersey sponsor is the Plus500. The team is named after the
feral horses A feral horse is a free-roaming horse of domesticated stock. As such, a feral horse is not a wild animal in the sense of an animal without domesticated ancestors. However, some populations of feral horses are managed as wildlife, and these ...
which inhabit Canberra's hinterland. The Brumbies mascot is ''Brumby Jack''. The Brumbies were originally known as the ''ACT Brumbies'' when they were accepted into the Super 12 for its inaugural season in 1996. Shortly after the 2004 season, two regional governing bodies in New South Wales – ''Far South Coast Rugby Union'' and ''Southern Inland Rugby Union'', joined the ACT Rugby Union, which then renamed itself the ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union. The team adopted a new name and logo for the 2005 season, dropping the "ACT" to become known simply as "The Brumbies". The name change identified that the team represented an area much larger than the Australian Capital Territory – with "Brumbies Territory" incorporating a number of regions through southern New South Wales including the Riverina, Shoalhaven, and Southern Highlands (New South Wales), Southern Highlands as well as the Sunraysia region incorporating parts of Victoria, Australia, Victoria.


Shirt sponsors and manufacturers


Stadium

The Brumbies play all their home fixtures at
Canberra Stadium Canberra Stadium (GIO Stadium for commercial reasons) is a facility primarily used for rugby league and rugby union games, located adjacent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the capital of Australia. It is the largest sports v ...
, located adjacent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. They share the ground with the Canberra Raiders rugby league team. Also, the Canberra Vikings, the Brumbies' affiliate in the short-lived Australian Rugby Championship, played one of their four regular-season home matches there. In 2003 matches from the 2003 Rugby World Cup were played at the stadium. Capacity is a nominal all-seated 25,011, however the largest crowd is actually 28,753, which was for the 2004 Super 12 Final. The Brumbies team did not use Canberra Stadium for their post-season APC games, instead taking their home fixtures to Canberra's Viking Park, which has a smaller capacity.


Rivalries


New South Wales Waratahs

The Brumbies have traditionally had a fierce rivalry with the New South Wales Waratahs, NSW Waratahs. Ascendency in the rivalry is now formally recognised by holding the Dan Vickerman Cup. In July 1994, before the formation of the Brumbies, the Canberra Vikings, Canberra Kookaburras defeated the New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs 44–28 at Concord Oval, Concord Oval in Sydney. The 1994 New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs side was otherwise unbeaten, but had missed an opportunity to compete for the Super 10 (rugby union)#1994 season, 1994 Super 10 title due to a refusal to tour South Africa#Beginning of apartheid, Apartheid South Africa. As a result, the Brumbies were the only team to beat the 1994 New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs. The original Brumbies team was primarily made of players from the 1994 Canberra Vikings, Kookaburras game, New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs 'rejects', and Queenslanders: all groups with reasons to dislike the New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs. Brisbane, Brisbane-born Brumby Troy Coker summed it up with "There was this entitlement thing around NSW rugby that the Canberra boys had a real distaste for." Ironically, despite being a team of 'rejects', the Brumbies have been the most successful Australian team in all competitions in the Super Rugby era. Traditionally, the ACT-NSW rivalry was dominated by home victories (The only Brumbies away loss in the 2000 Super 12 season, 2000 Season was against the New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs), with only two away victories in the Super 12 era, and none in the Super 14 era. The first away win in the rivalry came in the 2002 Super 12 season, 2002 Semi Final, which the Brumbies won 51–10 at Sydney Football Stadium (1988), Sydney Football Stadium. The Waratahs won the first regular season away game in 2005 Super 12 season, 2005. Dan Vickerman played for the winning team in both victories. Since 2011, home dominance is no longer as significant: the first clash in the Super 15 era saw the Waratahs win 29–22 at
Canberra Stadium Canberra Stadium (GIO Stadium for commercial reasons) is a facility primarily used for rugby league and rugby union games, located adjacent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the capital of Australia. It is the largest sports v ...
, with the Brumbies getting revenge the following year with a 19–15 victory at the Sydney Football Stadium (1988), Sydney Football Stadium. Between the 2015 Super Rugby season#Round 12, round 12 clash in 2015 and the List of 2019 Super Rugby matches#Round 17, round 17 clash in 2019, the homes team lost six of the seven games. The New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs got revenge for the 2002 Super 12 season, 2002 Semi Final in the 2014 Super Rugby season#Semi-Finals, 2014 Semi Final, which they won 26–8. In the absence of Dave Dennis (rugby union), Dave Dennis, their regular captain, the New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs were captained by Michael Hooper (rugby union), Michael Hooper, who was named the Brumbies' best forward only two years earlier. Brumbies fans took a lot of joy from beating the New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs 40–31 in the List of 2018 Super Rugby matches#Round 19, final round of 2018, as this prevented the New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs from finishing 2nd on the overall table. Daryl Gibson, head coach of the New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs, exclaimed that his side "was not focused on the job at hand, and getting ahead of itself in terms of already being in next week". Brumbies fans got additional joy from Daryl Gibson, Gibson's post-match press conference, where he (incorrectly) claimed that the result did not affect the New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs' playoffs picture.


Crusaders

The Brumbies also have a rivalry with the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders. Between 1997 Super 12 season, 1997 and 2006 Super 14 season, 2006, every Grand Final included at least one of the Brumbies or the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders. The two sides have met in three grand finals: *2000 Super 12 season, 2000, at Canberra Stadium, Bruce Stadium, Canberra, which the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders won 20–19. *2002 Super 12 season, 2002, at Lancaster Park, Jade Stadium, Christchurch, which the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders won 31–13. *2004 Super 12 season, 2004, at Canberra Stadium, Bruce Stadium, Canberra, which the Brumbies won 47–38. Former players and pundits likened the intensity of the clashes in the Super 12 and Super 14 era to Test match rugby, saying "It was basically the Wallabies v the All Blacks" and "Every time they met it was just great running rugby". In common with the Waratahs rivalry, the away side rarely won in encounters during the Super 12 and Super 14 era. The Brumbies are the only team to have scored 50 points against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders (2001 Super 12 season#Round 1, when they beat them in 2001), and have recorded the highest ever score in a grand final against them (2004 Super 12 season, 47 points in the 2004 final). However, the Brumbies last won against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders in 2009 Super 14 season#Round 2, 2009, with an aggregate score of 148–313 in all games since then, taking only two out of a maximum forty-five competition points from games against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders in the 2010s. The Brumbies are rarely criticised for their poor record against the Crusaders since 2009: while the Brumbies are on a streak of nine losses against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders, both the Queensland Reds, Reds and New South Wales Waratahs, Waratahs have previously lost eleven straight games against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders, while the Blues (Super Rugby), Blues are currently on an eleven-game losing streak against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders, despite (or perhaps because of) the competition structure having them play each other twice per season. Despite this, the Brumbies remain one of few sides to have a (relatively) competitive win–loss record against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders. At the end of the Super 14 era, the Brumbies' record against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders was eight wins in eighteen games (44%). As on 4 April 2021, that record was eight wins in twenty-six games (31%). At that time, only three other teams have a win record above 30% against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders: The Blues (Super Rugby), Blues (11/36, or 31%), the Bulls (rugby union), Bulls (10/27, or 37%), and the Chiefs (rugby union), Chiefs (15/39, or 38%). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic, the Brumbies have been unable to play any non-Australian teams since 15 March 2020. With pandemic conditions easing, the Brumbies are scheduled to play the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders again in May 2021. This will be the first Brumbies-Crusaders game in over two years, with the Brumbies currently on a nine-game losing streak against the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders.


Queensland Reds

The Super Rugby AU, 2020 Super Rugby AU final was contested by the Brumbies and Queensland Reds, the Reds, with the Brumbies winning 28–23. Queensland Reds, The Reds only won one game between these teams in the first fifteen years of Super Rugby. From 2015 to 2021, neither side has lost at home, until the Queensland Reds beat the Brumbies in Canberra. The four years that Ewen McKenzie, who played for the Brumbies in Super 12, was coach of Queensland Reds, the Reds was the high water mark of the interstate rivalry. In 2010 Super 14 season, 2010, 2012 Super Rugby season, 2012, and 2013 Super Rugby season, 2013, the Rod Macqueen Cup games decided whether either the Brumbies or the Reds made the playoff. In 2010 Super 14 season, 2010, the Rod Macqueen Cup game was the difference between Queensland Reds, the Reds finishing 4th (in the playoffs) and 5th (not in the playoffs). In 2012 Super Rugby season, 2012 and 2013 Super Rugby season, 2013, if the losing team had won just one of the Rod Macqueen Cup games, they would have won the conference ahead of the other. The two sides contested what is arguably the greatest Australian derby ever in 2021, with the Reds winning 38-40 in Canberra despite trailing by 17-0 at the start. The fierce rivals contested two further classics that year including the 2021 Super Rugby AU Final, with the Reds winning both.


Development teams

The Australian Capital Territory's two elite development squads just below full-time professional level are the Brumbies A and ACT Under 19 teams. These teams are closely aligned with the Brumbies and train at the same venue used by the Super Rugby squad. Many Brumbies players not involved in international rugby play for Canberra's team in the National Rugby Championship which also draws from the elite development squads. – ''See: Canberra Vikings''


Brumbies A

The Brumbies A team plays matches against interstate and international representative teams, and has also competed in tournaments such as the Pacific Rugby Cup. Known by various names including ACT A, ACT XV, Brumbies A, and Brumby Runners, the team is selected from the best emerging rugby talent in the ACT and Southern NSW. The squad is composed of Brumbies contracted players, extended training squad members, ACT Under 19s, and selected ACTRU Premier Division, Premier Division club players.


Under 19

The Brumbies under 19 side plays in the Australian Youth Rugby Championships, URC competition. ACT teams played in the Australian Under 20 Rugby Championship#Southern States, Southern States Tournament up until 2015 and also played occasional matches against other representative sides such as Pacific Rugby Cup teams. Prior to 2008, state colts teams at under 21 and under 21 age levels were fielded in national competitions. In 2018, an under 19 age limit was reinstated for the colts teams.


Honours


Season standings

: :


Current squad

The squad for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season is:


Elite development squad

The following players weren't named in the Brumbies 2023 squad, but were named in the Brumbies elite development squad following the full squad announcement. * Massimo De Lutiis (Prop) * Remy Lemisio (Prop) * Blake Schoupp (Prop) * Rhys van Nek (Prop) * Liam Bowron (Hooker) * Lachie Shaw (Lock) * Sam Thomson (rugby union), Sam Thomson (Lock) * Jack Wright (Lock) * Baden Godfrey (Loose forward) * Lachie Hooper (Loose forward) * Titi Nofoagatatoa (Loose forward) * Justin Sikimeti (Loose forward) * Cullen Gray (Fly-half) * Austin Anderson (Centre) * Angus Blackmore (Centre) * Matias Jensen (Centre) * Jarrah McLeod (Centre) * Shane Wilcox (Fullback)


Captains

As of 13 March 2021, there have been eighteen Brumbies captains. Ten of those captains were club captains, and ten of those had been game-day only captains. Ben Mowen captained the side on 51 occasions, more than any other Brumbies captain. He was Captain for every game in his Brumbies career, and only missed two games in that period: against the Lions (Super Rugby), Lions in 2012 Super Rugby season#Round 10, 2012, and against the Melbourne Rebels, Rebels in 2013 Super Rugby season#Round 17, 2013. Only three players under 26 have captained the Brumbies: Owen Finegan, George Gregan, and Nic White. Nic White became the youngest Captain in Brumbies history when he captained the side against the Rebels on 7 June 2013. He was 22 years and 359 days old at the time. Only three players over 32 have captained the Brumbies: Owen Finegan, Stephen Moore (rugby union), Stephen Moore, and Scott Fardy. Stephen Moore (rugby union), Stephen Moore became the oldest Captain in Brumbies history when he captained the side against the Reds on 13 February 2015. He was 32 years and 24 days old at the time. With his final game for the Brumbies against the Highlanders on 22 July 2016, he set the current record for oldest Brumbies captain at 33 years and 184 days. George Gregan is the only Brumbies captain to play every game of his captaincy tenure. Allan Alaalatoa is the only Brumbies captain to miss games of his captaincy tenure due to suspension. There are more caps as Captain than there are Brumbies games. This is due to the Brumbies adopting the co-Captaincy model between 2016 and 2018.


Club Captains

(Correct as of 26 September 2021)


Notable players


All Time Brumbies XV

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, gap between Super Rugby 2020 and the 2020 domestic competition, the Brumbies ran a fan poll to select an All Time Brumbies XV.


List of individual accolades

Several Brumbies players have gone on to achieve greater recognition in the Rugby community, achieving such things as: *Being nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year **George Gregan - Nominated in 2001 **George Smith (rugby player), George Smith - Nominated in 2001 **Matt Giteau - Nominated in 2004, 2009 **David Pocock - Nominated in 2010, 2011, 2015 *Being inducted to the World Rugby Hall of Fame **George Gregan - Inducted in 2013 **Stephen Larkham - Inducted in 2018 *Winning the John Eales Medal **George Smith (rugby player), George Smith - Won in 2002, 2008 **Jeremy Paul (rugby union), Jeremy Paul - Won in 2005 **Matt Giteau - Won in 2009 **David Pocock - Won in 2010, 2018 *Winning the Rugby World Cup **Joe Roff - Won in 1999 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1999 **Rod Kafer - Won in 1999 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1999 **Stephen Larkham - Won in 1999 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1999 **George Gregan - Won in 1999 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1999 **Brett Robinson (rugby union), Brett Robinson - Won in 1999 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1999 **Jim Williams (rugby union), Jim Williams - Won in 1999 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1999 **David Giffin - Won in 1999 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1999 **Owen Finegan - Won in 1999 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1999 **Jeremy Paul (rugby union), Jeremy Paul - Won in 1999 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1999 **Ewen McKenzie - Won in 1991 Rugby World Cup squads#Australia, 1991 *Winning Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year **David Pocock - Won in 2015 **George Smith (rugby union), George Smith - Won in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 **Joe Roff - Won in 2003, 1999 **Stirling Mortlock - Won in 2002 **Stephen Larkham - Won in 1998 *Winning the Brett Robinson Award **Rob Valetini - Won in 2021 **Allan Alaalatoa - Won in 2020 and 2019 **Rory Arnold - Won in 2018 **Henry Speight - Won in 2017 **Christian Lealiifano - Won in 2016 **David Pocock - Won in 2015 **Jarrad Butler - Won in 2014 **George Smith (rugby union), George Smith - Won in 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2001 **Stephen Moore (rugby union), Stephen Moore - Won in 2012 **Matt Giteau - Won in 2011 **Stirling Mortlock - Won in 2002 **Jim Williams (rugby union), Jim Williams - Won in 2000 **George Gregan - Won in 1999 and 1997 **Stephen Larkham - Won in 1998 **Owen Finegan - Won in 1996 *Winning the Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award **Scott Fardy - Won in 2018


100 Club

* 154 – Ben Alexander (rugby union), Ben Alexander * 150 – Christian Lealiifano * 142 – George Smith (rugby union), George Smith * 136 – George Gregan * 136 - ''Tevita Kuridrani'' * 123 – Stirling Mortlock * 122 – Henry Speight * 122 - Sam Carter (rugby union), Sam Carter * 117 – Stephen Moore (rugby union), Stephen Moore * 116 – Stephen Larkham * 116 - Scott Sio * 112 – Jeremy Paul (rugby union), Jeremy Paul * 102 – Mark Chisholm * 100 – Bill Young (rugby union), Bill Young Note: Accurate as of 30 January 2020. Players in Bold are still playing for the Brumbies. Players in ''Bolded Italics'' are still playing Super Rugby.


Coaches

Also see '':ACT Brumbies coaches.'' ''As of 26 September 2021.''


Team records


Individual Records

''As of 26 September 2021.''
Players in bold currently play for the Brumbies.


Team Records

As of 26 September 2021. *Note: The Brumbies also played four Super Rugby fixtures against the and two Super Rugby fixtures against the , but due to their small sample size, their results are not included in this table.


See also

* Canberra Vikings, University of Canberra Vikings * Canberra Raiders


References


External links

* {{Brumbies squad ACT Brumbies, Rugby clubs established in 1996 Rugby union teams in the Australian Capital Territory Sporting clubs in Canberra Super Rugby champions Super Rugby teams