Brumbies Captain Allan Alaalatoa Sidelined with Back Injury Ahead of Super Rugby Season
The ACT Brumbies have suffered a significant setback just weeks before the Super Rugby Pacific season kicks off, with captain and star prop Allan Alaalatoa ruled out due to a persistent back injury. The 31-year-old veteran will miss the opening matches, dealing a cruel blow to the team's championship ambitions as they prepare for a gruelling start to their campaign.
Leadership Vacuum and Travel Challenges
With Alaalatoa sidelined, hooker Ryan Lonergan has emerged as the leading candidate to captain the Brumbies in their season opener against the Western Force in Perth on February 14. The injury comes at a particularly challenging time for the Canberra-based team, who face back-to-back road trips to Perth and Christchurch to begin their season.
Brumbies and Rugby Australia medical staff have made the decision to keep Alaalatoa on ice after he has managed the back issue for the past six months. While no specific timeline has been provided for his return, the club has confirmed he will miss "the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season."
Opportunity for Emerging Talent
Coach Stephen Larkham acknowledged the disappointment of losing his captain but emphasised the opportunity this creates for other players in the squad. Rhys van Nek is poised to earn a starting role, while former Australian under-20s prop Tevita Alatini, who signed a two-year contract extension in August, is waiting in the wings for his chance.
"It's disappointing Allan won't be available for the start of the season but it also provides an opportunity for the other props in our program to step up and perform for the Brumbies," Larkham said. "We know Allan will continue to provide his leadership and experience to the group to help them prepare. He is the ultimate professional and will be doing everything he can to be back on the field as soon as possible."
Front Row Depth Tested
The Brumbies' front row resources are already stretched thin, with hooker Lachie Lonergan on the comeback trail from an anterior cruciate ligament tear suffered against the British and Irish Lions. Loosehead prop Blake Schoupp also missed the bulk of last season with an Achilles tear, further testing the squad's depth.
Larkham faces the additional challenge of managing his squad through a hectic travel schedule to begin the season. The Brumbies will travel to Perth next week for their opening trial match against the Force at Scotch College on January 30, before returning home to host the NSW Waratahs at Marist College on February 5.
Brutal Opening Fixtures
The team will then fly back across the country to open the season proper against the Force on Valentine's Day, before crossing the Tasman to face last year's champions, the Crusaders, in Christchurch. Even when they return to Canberra Stadium in round three, the task doesn't get easier with the Blues - who reached last year's semi-finals - visiting the capital on February 28.
Off-Field Stability Amid On-Field Challenges
Despite the injury concerns, the Brumbies have received positive news off the field with the announcement of a three-year principal partnership with global insurance giant Gallagher. The sponsorship deal provides financial stability for the club as they prepare for the new season.
Attention now shifts to securing a new multi-year deal for coach Stephen Larkham, whose contract expires at the end of 2026. Rugby Australia, which now handles coaching negotiations after assuming control of the Canberra-based club, considers Larkham's retention a priority.
Confidence in the Program
Brumbies chairman Joe Roff has praised Larkham for building "the best high performance program" in Australian rugby and believes a promotion to the Wallabies coaching role is inevitable. "I don't want to give too much credit to my former teammate behind me, but Steve runs the best high performance program in Australia," Roff said. "That's where the players, both the men's and women's, benefit. Our job here is to create Wallabies and make players better than they are if they don't come to this program."
The Brumbies have also unveiled their 2026 jersey, featuring a reimagined logo inspired by the version used from the club's inception in 1996 until 2004, marking 30 years of Super Rugby. Despite the early season challenges, club officials remain optimistic about their prospects under Rugby Australia's control, with Roff noting that "the sky hasn't fallen in" and that the team continues to train for success.
