Brumbies vs Force takes: Australia’s best scrum-half, back on track

The ACT Brumbies have snapped a three-game losing streak in Super Rugby Pacific, beating the Western Force 32-15 in a hard-fought Australian derby. Debutant Chris Mickelson was one of the try-scorers for the Brumbies, as they secured an important result at GIO Stadium.

Lachlan Shaw and Ollie Sapsford crossed for first-half tries, as the Brumbies took a 14-10 lead into the break. It was more of the same during the second term, as the home side outscored the Force 18-7.

Here are some takeaways.

The form scrum-half in Australian rugby

ACT Brumbies captain Ryan Lonergan was involved in Wallabies squads under Dave Rennie and later Eddie Jones, but didn’t get the chance to debut under either coach. Instead, that opportunity came during the 2025 Rugby Championship under current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt.

Tate McDermott started a Bledisloe Cup Test at Auckland’s Eden Park, but a first-half injury saw the Wallabies make a changer earlier than expected. Lonergan was brought into the contest as the replacement scrum-half, finally getting the chance to wear Wallaby gold.

Lonergan featured in a handful of matches during the international season, which included three appearances during the Autumn Nations Series against England, Italy and Ireland. But the 28-year-old is yet to start a Test for the Wallabies.

That should change this year.

On current form, Lonergan is the form scrum-half in Australian rugby. McDermott has missed all of the Super Rugby Pacific season to date and Nic White retired last year, although Jake Gordon and Kalani Thomas continue to play well.

Lonergan delivered a long-range cut-out pass to ultimately set up Ollie Sapford for a try during the first half against the Force, and the scrum-half linked up with brother Ryan to score a five-pointer of his owner during the second term.

But if the Wallabies were playing tomorrow, Lonergan would be the obvious candidate to wear the No. 9 jersey. Lonergan can goal kick, offers a quick and effective passing game, and is a reliable exit option when kicking out of hand.

Back on track

Ryan Lonergan celebrated his milestone 100^th Brumbies appearance with a try, as the visitors claimed a 14-10 win over the Highlanders in Dunedin last month. That saw the Brumbies bounce back from a nail-biting defeat to the NSW Waratahs the week before.

It’d been an up-and-down season for the Brumbies up until that point, including wins over the Crusaders, Blues and Crusaders. But losses to the Fijian Drua and Queensland Reds hit back at the Brumbies momentum midway through the campaign.

The Brumbies entered round 13 looking to snap a three-game losing streak. They suffered a shock defeat at home to the Drua, before falling to the Hurricanes 45-12 in Super Round and 30-21 to arch-rivals the Reds in Brisbane.

Stephen Larkhan’s side still sat inside the top six, but a win seemed crucial less than 25 days out from the playoffs. Lonergan was among the standouts as the Brumbies got the job done in front of a passionate crowd at GIO Stadium.

It was their first win in almost one month to the day, having last tasted victory against Moana Pasifika on April 10. But the Brumbies are back in the winners circle, and with another two games left in the round-robin, this result had put the men form the capital back on track.

Force skipper a shining light

The Force brought an end o a 14-year drought in the capital when they defeated the Brumbies at GIO Stadium last season. While the Force weren’t able to repeat that feat this time around, there’s no fault the efforts of team captain Jeremy Williams.

Williams was a shining light for the visitors, with the second-rower’s efforts around the set-piece particularly impressive. The 25-year-old stole a lineout on the Brumbies throw during the first half and repeated that effort later on in the 63^rd minute.

Lineouts have been a strength of the Brumbies since the very beginning of Super Rugby, but these involvements from Williams kept the Force in the fight. It was a four-point game at the break, and a one-core game with less than 20 to play.

Williams finished in double digits for doubles tackled also prevented what would’ve been a 50/22 from New Zealand-born Australia A representative Ollie Sapsford during the first half. All of these moments stand out from Willimas’ captain’s knock at GIO Stadium.

Two Wallabies bolters

Two Brumbies players have continued to push their case for higher honours with the Wallabies. Second-rower Lachlan Shaw and openside flanker Rory Scott have been impressive for the Super Rugby Pacific side all season, and it’s time both men get their plaudits.

It only took Shaw four minutes to score the opener against the Queensland Reds last weekend in Brisbane, but the lock managed to beat that feat this time around. Shaw crashed over for the first points against the Force in just the second minute.

That was a dream start for both Shaw and the Brumbies as a collective. That set the tone in what ended up being an important win for the home side, who snapped a losing streak that dates back almost one month to the day.

Shaw finished in double digits for tackles completed, and the same can be said for Scott. Scott was actually one of the game leaders on the defensive side of the ball, with the backrower also getting stuck in on attack.

The Wallabies have remarkable depth in both the second row and loose forwards, so while it seems unlikely that either men will certainly earn higher honours this July, it’s worth noting the Brumbies have two exciting prospects among their ranks.