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Captain Ryan Lonergan returns to lead Brumbies in Blues blockbuster

16 Apr 2024

(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Captain Ryan Lonergan returns to lead the Brumbies into battle when they take on the Blues in a blockbuster top-three Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park on Saturday evening.

With the Blues and Brumbies equal on 27 competition points, although the Aucklanders have a significantly better for-and-against, this is potentially the game of the round.

Lonergan, who was included in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship squad last year, withdrew in the lead-up to the Brumbies’ last fixture against the Waratahs in Canberra.

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But a fortnight has passed, and with the Brums set to take the field for the first time since, Lonergan will be there to lead the team onto the field at the world-famous Eden Park.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

Draws

Wins

Average Points scored

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

60%

Coach Stephen Larkham has made three changes to the starting side with Cadeyrn Neville’s inclusion at lock and Jahrome Brown at openside flanker being the other two.

The Brumbies have gone with the exact same front-row with record-holder James Slipper, Billy Pollard and Sosefo Kautai set to wearing jerseys No. 1 to 3.

Darcy Swan will pack down alongside Cadeyrn Neville in the second row, while Rob Valetini, Brown and rising star Charlie Cale make up a formidable loose forwards trio.

Captain Lonergan will link up with Noah Lolesio in the halves once again, while Tamati Tua and Hudson Creighton will stat again in the midfield.

Former SVNS star Corey Toole will wear the No. 11 jumper, New Zealand-born Ollie Sapsford the No. 14, and Tom Wright rounds out the starting side with the No. 15.

This blockbuster clash at Eden Park is scheduled to get underway at 5:05 pm AEST on Saturday.

Brumbies to take on Blues

James Slipper
Billy Pollard
Sosefo Kautai
Darcy Swain
5. Cadeyrn Neville
Rob Valetini
Jahrome Brown
Charlie Cale
Ryan Lonergan
Noah Lolesio
Corey Toole
Tamati Tua
Hudson Creighton
Ollie Sapsford
Tom Wright

Replacements

Connal McInerney
Blake Schoupp
Rhys Van Nek
Nick Frost
Tom Hooper
Luke Reimer
Harrison Goddard
Jack Debreczeni

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Comments on RugbyPass

Over the sideline 2 minutes ago

Competing interests and rotated squads: What the 'player welfare summer' is really telling us

Developing Japan has been going for decades. They won’t ever become a strong rugby nation as they simply arnt built for it physically. Fiji just beat Scotland and should have beaten Aus. They are going great and Drua is bringing theu more and more every year. Fiji's issues are more often around getting there NH contracted players released.

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IkeaBoy 4 minutes ago

Competing interests and rotated squads: What the 'player welfare summer' is really telling us

The English players union has been traditionally strong but I'd certainly worry about Russell. He's in great later career form but is a third of the way into a lucrative contract. They'll squeeze every ounce out of him.

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Over the sideline 7 minutes ago

Competing interests and rotated squads: What the 'player welfare summer' is really telling us

Id love to see a div 2 6N. Have promotion/relegation.

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'A series against the French would be one for the ages': Ex-Lions call for change

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Over the sideline 34 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Yeah happy to agree to disagree re RM. Either way he’s older than Dmac so definately looking to younger no matter what.

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Over the sideline 39 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Quite simply contracts have to have dates on them and eligibility is around the contract dates. It seems all of NZRs contracts are based around the NPC.

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Over the sideline 45 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Lacking? He was in there for 5 years. It was HIM that was lacking. He was part of the problem, not the solution. He's older than Dmac and not much younger than BB. Not the future.

81 Go to comments

Over the sideline 53 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Awesome, we need to lose three in a row. 😁😁Is there another NZ 10 that’s managed that? Mertrins maybe?

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Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Great player at domestic level. Never quite nails test rugby.

Are you being triggered again?

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Jackal 1 hour ago

Test hooker identifies 'almost that All Blacks aura of old' in French sweep

I honestly don’t understand the point you are trying to make here. He simply provided a view point on a show he is a showrunner of and his statements have been used as quotes for this article. Why don’t you track those names down you mention yourself and call them for their direct views if its so important to you? Rugby “fans” truly are a weird breed at times

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Mzilikazi 1 hour ago

'The Wallabies need to convert much better - or Melbourne could be much worse'

Brett, I live in Qld ! Just N. of Toowoomba, strong rugby schools in the town.

I am actually a big believer in McReight…and his parents I’m told were from Belfast. Just for these games I see Tizzano as the better choice at 7 to start.

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Ed the Duck 1 hour ago

Competing interests and rotated squads: What the 'player welfare summer' is really telling us

You’d like to think that WR are all over this but who knows.

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GL 2 hours ago

Test hooker identifies 'almost that All Blacks aura of old' in French sweep

Oh I know who he is - that’s precisely my point… a two test all black, sure good talker but I rather have melanamu, hore, Coles, etc providing views. But if you prefer mouth flappers go for it

12 Go to comments

Jackal 2 hours ago

Test hooker identifies 'almost that All Blacks aura of old' in French sweep

Because he runs a very successful podcast show with Bryn Hall and Ross Karl, from where these quotes come from and in which he gives very insightful views & analysis on the current game and NZ Rugby in particular. Classic case of do some research before flapping your mouth here mate.