Brumbies bolster pack for Hurricanes clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar has made four changes to the pack for the visit of New Zealand powerhouse the Hurricanes to GIO Stadium, Canberra this Saturday.
Hooker Folau Fainga’a, prop Ben Alexander, lock Rory Arnold and flanker Tom Cusack all make a return to the starting XV in the only changes from the side that defeated the Sunwolves 41-31 before the June Test Series break.
Fainga’a, who was with the Wallabies for their three-match series against Ireland, replaces Connal McInerney at hooker with McInerney reverting to the bench whilst Ben Alexander comes in at prop for the injured Allan Alaalatoa.
Scott Sio completes the front row and will have Rory Arnold and Blake Enever packing down behind him at lock. Arnold comes back into the side with co-captain Sam Carter unavailable.
Dynamic flank Tom Cusack replaces Lachlan McCaffrey in the back row, McCaffrey suffering from a bad back, whilst David Pocock and Isi Naisarani complete what looks like a strong scrummaging unit.
The backs remained unchanged from the team that secured a bonus-point against the Sunwolves with Joe Powell, who won his fourth Wallabies Cap in the Third test against Ireland in Sydney, partnered once more by flyhalf Christian Lealiifano, who will captain the team.
Fullback Tom Banks is in fine form having crossed for four tries in his last three matches scoring in all three, and the Brumbies will be keen to continue to play the fluent rugby that has seen them score more tries in 2018 with three games to go than in the entirety of 2017.
There are two changes on the bench as young lock Darcy Swain, who impressed in the Brumbies June Exhibition match against Suntory Sungoliath, is named as cover, joined by winger Lausii Taliauli who crossed for a try in the Suntory game and has two Super Rugby tries to his name this season.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 David Pocock, 6 Tom Cusack, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Folau Faingaa, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16Connal McInerney, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Darcy Swain, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Lausii Taliauli.
Date: Saturday, June 30
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.45 (21.45 NZ time; 09.45 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: William Houston (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
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