Alaalatoa two caps from Brumbies record as Ikitau headlines 2027 Super Rugby squad

Allan Alaalatoa is on the verge of becoming the ACT Brumbies’ all-time appearance leader, with the veteran prop named in a 35-man squad for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season that features 15 Wallabies and the return of centre Len Ikitau.

Alaalatoa, 32, sits just two caps short of Ben Alexander’s club record of 154 matches. He made six appearances in the 2025/26 campaign, including a playoff start away to eventual champions the Hurricanes, and will have every opportunity to break the record early in the new season.

James Slipper, who surpassed Wyatt Crockett’s Super Rugby appearance record last season, is also back for another campaign, giving the Brumbies a formidable and experienced front row. Seven props in total have been named in the squad.

Perhaps the most eye-catching inclusion in the backs is Ikitau, the 2025 John Eales Medal winner — awarded to the Wallabies Player of the Year — who returns to Canberra after spending the 2025/26 PREM Rugby season with English club Exeter Chiefs.

Coach Stephen Larkham has assembled a squad with considerable collective pedigree. The 35 players bring a combined 1,686 Super Rugby appearances, and capped Wallabies Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Tom Wright, Corey Toole, Rob Valetini and Charlie Cale are all included alongside Alaalatoa, Slipper and Ikitau.

There are notable new arrivals too. Utility back Triston Reilly joins from the NSW Waratahs, having captained the First Nations & Pasifika XV against a Tonga President’s XV earlier this year. Leafi Talataina, TJ Talaileva and Aiden Stait have also signed on for 2027.

Uncapped Wallabies lock Toby Macpherson, who was involved in the Bledisloe Cup series squad and is currently with Australia A, is part of a five-man lock contingent alongside Nick Frost, Lachie Shaw, Harvey Cordukes and Stait.

Wing Kye Oates, a former Australia Sevens representative who made his Brumbies debut last season before injury curtailed his rookie campaign, has committed his future to the club by signing a two-year contract extension through to the end of 2028.