Auelua back for the Brumbies
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Fotu Auelua returns to the starting line-up for the first time in 2014 when the Brumbies take on the Sharks in Canberra on Saturday.
Auelua is the only change to the Brumbies starting side which went down to the Crusaders last weekend.
Jordan Smiler drops to the bench and Jack Whetton falls out of the game-day 23.
The 120kg, Samoan wrecking ball has been recovering from a knee injury he suffered during the Brumbies trial period.
Auelua had a run out in the Dent cup on his return to fitness scoring a try and impressing with several damaging runs.
This performance confirmed Brumbies Director of Rugby, Laurie Fisher belief that his hulking loose-forward was ready to return.
“Fotu had a good game for Wests last week. He’s been itching to get back on the park for the last month or so, so it’s great to be able to give him a start," he said.
“He brings aggression and physicality to our side, which will be valuable against a big, South African forward pack like the Sharks’.
“The Sharks are leading the competition and have threats right across the park, so an improved performance from last week is vital if we are going to walk away with points.
The Brumbies won the last encounter between the two sides, 29-10 in Durban last year.
But prior to that the Sharks had managed to roll the Brumbies both home and away in 2012 and 2011.
Brumbies:15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Robbie Coleman, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Jarrad Butler, 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Fotu Auelua, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Ruaidhri Murphy, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Tom McVerry, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Pat McCabe.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT; 11.40 SA time)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees, James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
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