Brumbies call up rookie prop
The Brumbies have re-shuffled their front row for the clash with the Sharks in Canberra on Saturday, with Ruaidhri Murphy coming into the side for his first start at loosehead.
This season’s regular tighthead Dan Palmer is rested and drops out of the matchday squad, while Wallaby prop Ben Alexander packs down at tighthead.
Scott Sio earns a place on the bench for the first time as front row cover in Palmer’s absence.
“Murphy has been one of the squad’s strongest trainers since he joined the group back in August,” Coach Jake White said.
“With Dan having a break this weekend, we’ve been lucky enough to bring in a player with plenty of potential and a good skill set like Ruaidhri.
“On the bench we are playing Scott Sio, a young man who earns his first 22-man selection. Scott is a big, strong front-rower and it’s a pleasure to be able to hand him his first Brumbies jersey this weekend.
“We lose nothing with Benny A playing tighthead, he’s the Wallabies incumbent and I look forward to seeing him in the No.3 jersey again.”
In the backs, Matt Toomua has returned from a knee injury and will slot back in at flyhalf. He has pushed the rest of the backline out, with Christian Lealiifano playing inside centre and Pat McCabe on the wing.
Joe Tomane will be used as an impact player from the bench.
“Matt is a very professional member of our squad. His diligent recovery and rehab work have helped him return quickly after his knee injury against the Cheetahs,” White said.
“The Sharks have had a bit of disruption at flyhalf with Frederick Michalak being named at 10. Marking up on a player of Michalak’s experience is going to be a challenge but we are sure Matt is up to it.”
With Tomane moving back to the bench the only other change is Tevita Kuridrani who has dropped out of the 22.
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Leon Power, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ruaidhri Murphy.
Replacements: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Scott Fardy, 19 Ita Vaea, 20 Nic White, 21 Zack Holmes, 22 Joe Tomane.
Date: Saturday, March 31
Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)
