The demise of the Melbourne Rebels and the reduction of Australian Super Rugby Pacific teams to four has seen a considerable shakeup in the player stocks for the surviving clubs.
In this evolving article The Roar will track player signing and departure news as it happens before the Super Rugby squads are confirmed in early 2025.
(Note the 2024 squads listed below were those with which the clubs began last season, not the squads they had at the finish. New squads will be announced early in 2025)
LATEST
Former Wallabies star James O’Connor has extended his Super Rugby Pacific career by shifting to New Zealand and signing a one-year deal with the Crusaders.
The ex-Queensland Reds playmaker knocked back a contract to remain at Ballymore next season, where injuries had relegated him to a mentoring role in 2024.
The Crusaders announced on October 10 he had signed for 2025 to play under former NSW Waratahs coach Rob Penney.
“I’m really excited to be joining the Crusaders for the 2025 season and eager to test myself in a new environment,” O’Connor said in a statement.
“My whole career I’ve heard so much about the Crusaders culture and innovation so to experience it firsthand and learn a new way of playing the game is something I’m really looking forward to.”
The 14-time champions have struggled to overcome the loss of superstar Richie Mo’unga, who is playing in Japan, missing the finals this season.
STATE OF PLAY
There has been significant movement among the Australian franchises with the carve up of the Rebels list ongoing. The Waratahs, who have a new incoming coach in Dan McKellar, have signed several big names including Wallabies Taniela Tupou and Andrew Kellaway.
On September 9 they announced a week of signing news – starting with the naming of six newcomers (see the Tahs section below). A day later the Reds announced their flyhalf Lawson Creighton would be leaving to the Waratahs despite the club wanting him to stay. Finally, at the end of the week, it would be announced that Wallaby Dylan Pietsch will depart the Waratahs, signing a multi-year contract with the Western Force – despite reports the move was blocked by Rugby Australia.
The Reds have also beefed up with the arrival of Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and winger Filipo Daugunu.
On September 12 the club said goodbye to another flyhalf, with veteran James O’Connor opting to head overseas.
And on September 17 the club confirmed to The Roar that former Under 20 Australia back Taj Annan, who played five Super Rugby games last season before injury, is leaving the Reds. It has been reported that Annan, 21, will be joining Newcastle Knights in the NRL.
There has been plenty of change at the Western Force as well with Darcy Swain crossing over from the Brumbies and Brandon Paenga-Amosa returning from France.
On September 11 they announced the signing of one-game All Black centre Matt Proctor, who was at the Rebels in 2024.
So far, the Brumbies are keeping their powder relatively dry, although they have signed two ex-Rebels.
There has also been significant movement overseas so far, with the likes of Wallabies Izack Rodda, Izzy Perese, Ned Hanigan and Lachie Swinton packing their bags for new adventures.
Add to that Wallabies prop Pone Fa’amausili who has signed a one-year deal to join New Zealand-based franchise Moana Pasifika after leaving the Rebels. He has fallen significantly down the pecking order after being named in Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad.
ACT Brumbies
The Brumbies have picked up two former Rebels in David Feliuai and Tuaina Taii Tualima but will look to bank on a stable squad. The biggest losses are forwards Darcy Swain to the Force and Jahrome Brown, who is expected to move home to the Chiefs.
Ins: Liam Bowron (promoted), David Feliuai (Rebels), Tuaina Taii Tualima (Rebels)
Outs: Darcy Swain (Force), Fred Kaihea, Connal McInerney, Ed Kennedy, Jahrome Brown, Tamati Tua (Exeter)
2024 squad:
Props: Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Fred Kaihea, Sefo Kautai, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Harry Vella
Hookers: Lachlan Lonergan, Connal McInerney, Billy Pollard
Locks: Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Darcy Swain, Lachlan Shaw
Loose forwards: Rob Valetini, Charlie Cale, Jahrome Brown, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Luke Reimer, Ed Kennedy
Halfbacks: Ryan Lonergan, Harrison Goddard, Klayton Thorn
Fly-halves: Noah Lolesio, Jack Debreczeni, Declan Meredith
Midfielders: Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Ollie Sapsford, Hudson Creighton, Austin Anderson
Outside backs: Tom Wright, Corey Toole, Ben O’Donnell, Andy Muirhead
NSW Waratahs
There has been a huge upheaval at Daceyville. Early attention will be on code-hopper Joseph Suaalii in his transition from the Roosters while the addition of Andrew Kellaway and Darby Lancaster from the Rebels should help ease the pain of losing Mark Nawaqanitawase to rugby league.
The influx of talented back-three and centre options has also meant several players have departed to make way – most recently two-test Wallaby Dylan Pietsch, who has made the journey across the Nullarbor to sign a multi-year deal with the Western Force – a move that will likely prove mutually beneficial, giving the talented winger more game time while freeing up options for Dan McKellar, and despite reports the RA reported attempted to block the move.
They added three more ex-Rebels to the list along with three more players in a single day.
Prop Siosifa Amone and outside back Henry O’Donnell return home to NSW following stints with the Western Force, and are joined by former Melbourne Rebels lock Angelo Smith, hooker Ethan Dobbins and backrower Leafi Talataina.
Amone (13 games), O’Donnell (5 games), Smith (20 games) and Dobbins (6 games) all arrive with Super Rugby Pacific experience under their belts, while O’Donnell and Talataina represented the Junior Wallabies last year.
Meanwhile Australian-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 lock Ben Grant is back on home soil after spending the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season with the Hurricanes, preceded by two years with the San Diego Legion.
