Super Rugby AUS Round 2 2026 Preview

Round 2 of Super Rugby AUS hits the road, bringing regional clashes to Roma and grassroots action to Butler. With Test call-ups opening doors for local club heroes and veteran Wallabies making surprise returns, there is plenty to play for across the weekend.

Queensland Reds vs NSW Waratahs

Date & Time: Saturday, 19 September 2026, 5:45pm AEST. Venue: Gallas Fox Park, Roma. Broadcast: Stan Sport, Rugby.com.au

The Lowdown

Heading out west to Roma for the Santos Festival of Rugby, this classic interstate rivalry takes top billing as the Underdog’s Game of the Week. Queensland returns to the paddock desperate to bounce back from their narrow 29-28 defeat to the Force in Round 1. Vern Cotter must navigate a must-win scenario to keep the Reds final hopes alive, turning to some serious star power in his backline. Former NRL and Tonga international David Fusitu’a earns a start at outside centre straight off a Hospital Cup title with Brothers, replacing the injured Josh Flook. Out wide, former Wallaby speedster Sefa Naivalu dons the maroon jersey for the first time since 2019, while Tom Lynagh continues his comeback at flyhalf under captain Matt Faessler.

The Waratahs roll into country Queensland full of confidence following their opening round win over the Brumbies. Head coach Lachlan McCaffrey has kept a stable backline guided by Max Burey and Teddy Wilson, but forced changes hit the engine room. With Pete Samu sidelined by a scapula injury and Justice Taumoepeau away on Australia U18 duties, Australia U20 star Isaac Fonua takes over at number eight alongside Shute Shield standout Tom Girle on the flank. Lock Eamon Doyle captains the squad alongside enforcer Miles Amatosero, while Wallaby breakdown specialist Luke Reimer is set to make his Waratahs debut from an extended 10-man bench.

Underdog’s Tip

The Waratahs pack plenty of punch, but Queensland playing in front of a packed country crowd with a re-tooled backline will throw everything at their traditional rivals. Expect a physical set-piece battle that stays tight until the dying minutes.

Reds by 3 points (and this may be the Reds man in me).

Team Lists

Team lists are correct as of release via Super Rugby on Wednesday.

Queensland Reds

1. George Blake, 2. Matt Faessler (c), 3. Nick Bloomfield, 4. Will Ross, 5. Charlie Brosnan, 6. Tom Robinson, 7. John Bryant, 8. Joe Brial, 9. Mosiah Christian, 10. Tom Lynagh, 11. Sefa Naivalu, 12. Josh Takai, 13. David Fusitu’a, 14. Tim Ryan, 15. Will McCulloch.
   Replacements: 16. Zac Hough, 17. Harrison Usher, 18. Trevor King, 19. Dom Thygesen, 20. Vaiuta Latu, 21. Cooper Stewart, 22. Ben Volavola, 23. Jake Pappin, 26. Kenny Harris, 28. Alex Flanagan Smith.

NSW Waratahs

1. Tom Lambert, 2. Ethan Dobbins, 3. Edwin Langi, 4. Eamon Doyle (c), 5. Miles Amatosero, 6. Tom Girle, 7. Marshall Le Maitre, 8. Isaac Fonua, 9. Teddy Wilson, 10. Max Burey, 11. Freedom Vahaakolo, 12. George Poolman, 13. Otto Serfontein, 14. Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong, 15. Sid Harvey.
   Replacements: 16. Tyler Maybery, 17. Brady Dawson, 18. Will Goddard, 19. Joe Mangelsdorf, 20. Angus Scott-Young, 21. Luke Reimer, 22. Angus Grover, 23. Joe Dillon, 24. Charlie Bird, 25. Nick Chan.

Western Force vs ACT Brumbies

Date & Time: Sunday, 20 September 2026, 1:30pm WST (3:30pm AEST)

Venue: North Coast Sharks RUFC, Butler

Broadcast: Stan Sport, Rugby.com.au

The Lowdown

Perth turns out for Sunday footy at Butler as a buoyant Western Force squad looks to capitalize on their 29-28 victory over Queensland. With Harry McLaughlin-Phillips earning a maiden Wallabies call-up, 95-cap international Kurtley Beale steps up to start at flyhalf. Pure nostalgia waits on the bench as star signing James O’Connor prepares to wear Force colours for the first time since 2011. Wallaby prop Tom Robertson returns from injury to start alongside captain Nic Dolly, while former Wallabies skipper Nick Champion de Crespigny slots into the back row. Out wide, League convert Zac Lomax continues his midfield experiment at outside centre alongside Boston Fakafanua.

The Brumbies head west desperate to respond after dropping their Round 1 match against New South Wales. Stephen Larkham gets a huge boost in the second row with Wallaby lock Nick Frost returning to team up with teenage captain Toby Macpherson. Debutant Tavita Loughland joins an all-colts back row at blindside flanker, while Rhys van Nek anchors the scrum after making the Super Rugby AUS Team of the Week. In the backline, Tane Edmed and Klayton Thorn retain the halves combination, feeding a dangerous back three featuring Team of the Week selection Corey Toole on the wing and Triston Reilly at fullback.

Underdog’s Tip

The Brumbies have plenty of talent, but the Force boast unmatched veteran experience off the bench in O’Connor and Beale to manage the game late. Expect Perth to hold their ground in front of a local home crowd.

Force by 4 points.

Team Lists

Team lists are correct as of release via Super Rugby AU on Wednesday.

Western Force

1. Tom Robertson, 2. Nic Dolly (c), 3. Brad Kuhn, 4. Will Harris, 5. Zak Healey, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7. Jack Daly, 8. Jackson Iose, 9. Nathan Hastie, 10. Kurtley Beale, 11. Ronan Leahy, 12. Boston Fakafanua, 13. Zac Lomax, 14. Wallace Charlie, 15. Mac Grealy.
   Replacements: 16. Albert Alcock, 17. Max Sawers, 18. Misinale Epenisa, 19. Tim Sail, 20. Seta Baker, 21. Luke Aiken, 22. James O’Connor, 23. Tama Anderson, 24. Kane Koteka, 25. Regin Pratt.

ACT Brumbies

1. Lington Ieli, 2. Liam Bowron, 3. Rhys van Nek, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Toby Macpherson (c), 6. Tavita Loughland, 7. Eli Langi, 8. Oscar Cleary, 9. Klayton Thorn, 10. Tane Edmed, 11. Corey Toole, 12. David Feliuai, 13. Jarrah McLeod, 14. Ollie Sapsford, 15. Triston Reilly.
   Replacements: 16. Ewald Kruger, 17. Finn Baxter, 18. Darcy Breen, 19. Tu’ukalikali Vaihu, 20. Darcy Fogarty, 21. Dan Nelson, 22. Oscar Shaw, 23. Dylan Bretton, 24. Kadin Pritchard, 25. Chace Oates.

Injury List

Queensland Reds

• Josh Flook (centre – torn achilles)
• Izaia Perese (centre – calf)
• Lachie Anderson (winger – facial fracture)
• Xavier Reuben (utility back – knee / Japan loan)

NSW Waratahs

• Pete Samu (backrower – scapula injury)
• Justice Taumoepeau (backrower – Australia U18 national duties)

Western Force

• Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (flyhalf – Wallabies squad call-up)