Brumbies bank on teenage lock
Tom Staniforth will make his Super Rugby debut at lock when the Brumbies head to Brisbane to turn the tables on the Reds on Friday.
The 19-year-old Australian Under-20 representative has been knocking on the door of Super Rugby for the last 18 months, having trained with the main squad since leaving Canberra Grammar in 2012.
Staniforth will be joined by Wallabies Stephen Moore and Scott Sio, who are back from injury, to face the Reds and give the Brumbies an all-Wallaby front row.
Staniforth comes into the side for Sam Carter, who has been ruled out through a knee injury.
Sio and Moore return to the front row for JP Smith and Siliva Siliva, who both move back to the bench for Ruaidhri Murphy and Josh Mann-Rea respectively in an otherwise unchanged team.
Director of Rugby Laurie Fisher said he was looking forward to seeing the Brumbies build again after a good win over the Blues in Canberra last weekend.
"We've got Steve Moore and Scott Sio which is a big boost for the side and we've got Tommy Staniforth coming in for his debut, so it's certainly very exciting for him and for the rest of the guys as well," Fisher said.
"He's a quiet guy, but inwardly he'd be very excited. I sat down for a chat with him and he was very excited about the prospect of taking on two current Wallabies locks.
"He's been with the team on a fulltime basis and has learned plenty over the last 18 months. I really do believe he will be more than up to it.
"We've shown improvement since the round one game against the Reds, where they were able to clinch a win. I'm sure you will see an improved performance from the Brumbies on Friday."
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Robbie Coleman, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Jordan Smiler, 5 Tom Staniforth, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Siliva Silva, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 JP Smith, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Christian Lealiifano.
Date: Friday, April 11
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
