Brittany Mitchell, ESPN Assistant EditorNov 12, 2024, 08:24 PM ET
CloseBrittany Mitchell has been a sports fan from an early age, with a keen interest in netball, cricket and rugby. Brittany interned at Rugby Magazine and the Australian Rugby Union before joining ESPN.
The International season may still have three weeks left to play out and the Super Rugby Pacific season remains three months away, but it hasn’t stopped us from looking ahead at what’s to come from each Australian team in 2025.
With the demise of the Melbourne Rebels and the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour, next year stands to be a huge Super season for the four Australian sides with every player desperate to put their hand up and win selection in the Wallabies squad for what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The end of the Rebels, of course, means plenty of talent attempting to find positions across the Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs and Western Force with big name signings Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota and Andrew Kellaway finding a place in the sky blue, and Filipo Daugunu and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto heading north to the Reds.
Read on for a breakdown of every Australian Super Rugby squad.
ACT Brumbies
Australia’s best performing side for a number of years now, expect the Brumbies to do so again in 2025 with a settled squad that includes over a dozen Wallabies players.
As expected from the men from Australia’s capital they’ve retained 30 of last year’s squad while elevating four from their academy including back-rower Lachlan Hooper — Tom Hooper’s brother — Super Rugby U19s title-winning captain Shane Wilcox, outside back Kadin Pritchard and prop Tevita Alatini.
Charlie Cale in action for the Brumbies. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images
The demise of the Rebels has also been the Brumbies’ gain with forward Tuaina Taii Tualima and centre David Feliuai both moving to the capital.
Retaining many in their experienced forward pack including Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Rob Valetini, Caderyn Neville and Nick Frost, and bolstered by the many rising stars such as Charlie Cale, Blake Schopp, Tom Hooper and Lachlan Lonergan, they won’t be short of talent up front.
While Stephan Larkham has also secured a well-balanced backline with some of Australia’s most exciting ball players in Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Ollie Sapsford and Noah Lolesio aided by plenty of speed out wide in Corey Toole and Andy Muirhead.
Predicted starting XV: Tom Wright, Corey Toole, Len Ikitau, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Charlie Cale, Luke Reimer, Rob Valetini, Caderyn Neville, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Lachlan Lonergan, Blake Schoupp.
Squad:
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Tevita Alatini, Liam Bowron, Charlie Cale, Nick Frost, Lachlan Hooper, Tom Hooper, Lachlan Lonergan, Cadeyrn Neville, Billy Pollard, Luke Reimer, Blake Schopp, Rory Scott, Lachlan Shaw, James Slipper, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Rob Valetini, Rhys van Nek, Harry Vella
Backs: Austin Anderson, Hudson Creighton, Jack Debreczeni, David Feliuai, Harrison Goddard, Len Ikitau, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Andy Muirhead, Ben O’Donnell, Kadin Pritchard, Ollie Sapsford, Klayton Thorn, Corey Toole, Shane Wilcox, Tom Wright
NSW Waratahs
Plummeting to the bottom of the Super Rugby table in 2024 and showing the door to cult favourite coach Darren Coleman, the Waratahs have ushered in yet another new era with famed coach, and long-time Waratahs rival, Dan McKellar in the head coaching role.
Like usual, expectations are high for the Waratahs after the signings of Wallabies’ Tupou and Kellaway, as well as big name code-hopper Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who made his international debut over the weekend to rave reviews. All three names bring star talent to the fold, with Tupou known for his scrummaging skills and his ability to monster his way through defence. Linking up with Wallabies teammate Angus Bell will give the side one of the most dominant front-rows in the competition.
Taniela Tupou of Australia evades a tackle by Julian Montoya of Argentina Daniel Jayo/Getty Images
Expect Kellaway to move into fullback with Max Jorgensen slotting on the wing with Rebels transfer and lightning quick wing Darby Lancaster to partner on the other edge, while Suaalii did more than enough to guarantee a starting role from Round 1, likely at outside centre.
McKellar should have no issues with his backline with a mix of star talent and upcoming youth to choose from, while his front and back-rows look formidable, it’s his second-row that could cause problems with a lack of depth raising question marks of who will take the starting locking positions. Keeping both Bell and Tupou fit will also be front of mind with both suffering from reoccurring injuries.
With a dozen Wallabies in the squad, however, expect fireworks at their season-opener at Allianz in Sydney.
Predicted starting XV: Andrew Kellaway, Max Joregnsen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Lalakai Foketi, Darby Lancaster, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Miles Amatosero, Fergus Lee-Warner, Taniela Tupou, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell.
Squad:
Forwards: Adrian Brown, Angelo Smith, Angus Bell, Ben Grant, Charlie Gamble, Clem Halaholo, Daniel Botha, David Porecki, Ethan Dobbins, Fergus Lee-Warner, Hugh Sinclair, Isaac Kailea, Jack Barrett, Julian Heaven, Leafi Talatiana, Langi Gleeson, Mahe Vailanu, Mesu Kunavula, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Siosifa Amone, Taniela Tupou, Thomas Lambert, Brad Amituanai, Ale Aho.
Backs: Andrew Kellaway, Archie Saunders, Darby Lancaster, Henry O’Donnell, Jack Bowen, Jack Grant, Jake Gordon, Joey Walton Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Lalakai Foketi, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Tane Edmed, Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly, Jackson Ropata, James Hendren.
Queensland Reds
It was a season filled with plenty of potential that ended early with a quarterfinal defeat in Les Kiss’s first season as coach. Stacked with talent in 2025, anything but reaching the semifinals will be a disappointment.
Already briming with international talent last year, Kiss has added plenty more with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Filipo Daugunu making their return north, while Josh Canham has bolstered their tight five, making the move from the Rebels. Mason Gordon, brother of former Wallaby Carter Gordon, is another new face, alongside utility back Jude Gibbs from Shute Shield’s Northern Suburbs, and former Rebels wing Lachie Anderson.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto attempts to break a tackle in the Reds’ win over the Rebels. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images
But most surprising has been the absence of Suliasi Vunivalu. Making the switch from NRL in 2021, Vunivalu had struggled to make the most of his time at the Reds despite being given plenty of time in the saddle, while injuries also cruelled his time in Queensland. He now heads to France to join Will Skelton at the Top 14 side La Rochelle.
Jordan Petaia is another notable absence with the star back nowhere to be seen on the squad list. It all but confirms his release to chase his NFL dream. Meanwhile, James O’Connor also rejected a contract extension to take up a contract with the Crusaders.
It’s a significant loss of experience, but given the spread of talent across the backline, Kiss will have no issue filling the gaps.
Up front, his back-row will be one of Australia’s best with all three Wallabies starters, while his lock stocks remain strong. A fit and firing forward pack will mean big things for the Reds in 2025.
Predicted starting XV: Jock Campbell, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Connor Vest, Zane Nonggorr, Matt Faessler, Sef Fa’agase.
Squad:
Forwards: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa’agase, Liam Wright, Ryan Smith, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, George Blake, Angus Blyth, Fraser McReight, Connor Vest, Harry Wilson, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Alex Hodgman, Josh Canham, John Bryant, Trevor King, Max Craig, Matt Gibbon, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Backs: Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Mason Gordon, Jock Campbell, Frank Goldsbrough, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Louis Werchon, Tom Lynagh, Kalani Thomas, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu, Tim Ryan, Will McCulloch, Dre Pakeho, Jude Gibbs, Lachie Anderson
Western Force
It was a hard slog for the Western Force in 2024, securing just four wins through the season, but the side still made an impression on the competition with some truly impressive victories, including their wins over the Reds and the Crusaders.
This year, Simon Cron will be desperate to see the team rise into play-off position for the first time under his tutelage and he’s gone on a signing spree to make it happen.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa is the standout hooker in the Wallabies squad, but there are growing concerns about the quality of player underneath him Kelly Defina/Getty Images
The signings of Brandon Paenga-Amoa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Dylan Pietsch, Darcy Swain and Sam Carter, brings plenty of international experience to the line-up, while Tom Robertson and Kane Koteka make their return to the fold.
Cron has also welcomed in Rebels backrower Vaiolini Ekuasi while also recruiting Australian talent Nic Dolly and Nick Champion de Crespigny back from overseas.
It creates a strong line-up with Harry Potter preparing to make his return from injury, while Carlo Tizzano remains a threat in a strong back-row.
The second-row, though, remains thin and is an issue Cron struggled with in 2024, he’ll be expecting big minutes from his big men Swain and Jeremy Williams. While the loss of former Wallaby Kurtley Beale will have an impact on the backline.
Beale’s presence late in the season was a game-changer for the Force, giving much needed direction to Donaldson who flourished with the international star behind him, with the fullback no longer out west, Donaldson will need to step his game up in order to direct a relatively novice backline.
Predicted starting XV: Harry Potter, Mac Grealy, Sio Tomkinson, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch, Ben Donaldson, Nic White, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Jeremy Williams, Darcy Swain, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson.
Squad:
Forwards: Sam Carter, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Kane Koteka, Atunaisa Moli, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Marley Pearce, Reed Prinsep, Tom Robertson, Papillon Sevele, Darcy Swain Tiaan Tauakipulu, Josh Thompson, Carlo Tizzano, Mitchell Watts, Jeremy Williams
Backs: Max Burey, Ben Donaldson, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Mac Grealy, Bayley Kuenzle, Ronan Leahy, Divad Palu, Reesjan Pasitoa, Dylan Pietsch, Doug Philipson, George Poolman, Harry Potter, Matt Proctor, Henry Robertson, Hamish Stewart, Patelesio Tomkinson, Nic White
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