Lonergan returns from surgery as Brumbies and Reds both seek first Super Rugby AUS win

Lachlan Lonergan has been named in the ACT Brumbies matchday squad for Sunday’s Super Rugby AUS regular season finale against the Queensland Reds at Viking Park, returning from minor off-season surgery to take a place on the extended bench.

The eight-Test Wallabies rake had been sidelined since the competition began, but his comeback adds experience to a Brumbies side captained by former Australia Under-20 skipper Toby Macpherson. Both the Brumbies and the Reds head into the match on the back of defeats — the Brumbies to the NSW Waratahs and the Reds to the Western Force — making Sunday’s clash a must-win for both teams.

Lonergan is listed behind Super Rugby Pacific regular Rhys van Nek, who wears the No. 17 jersey. The more eye-catching selection in the starting XV is tighthead prop Tevita Alatini, who missed the opening rounds of the competition and packs down alongside loosehead Lington Ieli and hooker Liam Bowron.

Macpherson partners capped Wallabies lock Nick Frost in the second row, with Tavita Loughland at blindside flanker, Eli Langi at openside, and Oscar Cleary at number eight.

In the backs, Dan Nelson links up with capped Wallabies playmaker Tane Edmed at halfback, while Jarrah McLeod and Kadin Pritchard form the centre pairing. Triston Reilly and Ollie Sapsford start on the wings, with Corey Toole at fullback.

ACT Brumbies XV to face Queensland Reds

1 Lington Ieli, 2 Liam Bowron, 3 Tevita Alatini, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Toby Macpherson (c), 6 Tavita Loughland, 7 Eli Langi, 8 Oscar Cleary, 9 Dan Nelson, 10 Tane Edmed, 11 Triston Reilly, 12 Jarrah McLeod, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 15 Corey Toole

Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Breen, Tu’ukalilikali Vaipulu, Darcy Fogarty, Klayton Thorn, Oscar Shaw, Dylan Bretton, Chace Oates, TJ Talaileva, Ewald Kruger