Brumbies change one for Aussie derby
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made one change to the matchday 23 for the side’s round two Super Rugby clash against the Rebels on Friday at GIO Stadium.
After making his Brumbies debut last week, Cadeyrn Neville will get his first start after Darcy Swain was ruled out of the match through injury.
The reshuffle also sees youngster Nick Frost named as a replacement, putting him in line for his Super Rugby debut on Friday.
Frost, a former Australian Schoolboy has been part of the Brumbies set up since last May and was part of the Junior Wallabies side that made last year’s final of the Under-20s World Championships in Argentina.
The side is otherwise unchanged from the one that defeated the Reds last Friday night with rookies Noah Lolesio and Solomone Kata selected for their second straight start.
The Brumbies will be looking to extend their nine-match winning streak at GIO Stadium on Friday, with the Brumbies Runners also set to play a curtain-raiser ahead of the Super Rugby fixture.
Super Rugby is BACK in Canberra once again this Friday night, the Plus500 Brumbies taking on the Melbourne Rebels at GIO Stadium! #BRUvREB pic.twitter.com/MnHIKJCpr4
— Plus500 Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) February 5, 2020
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: “It’s a shame for Darcy to miss this week with injury but it’s a great opportunity for another one of our young blokes in Nick Frost who’s been working hard all offseason.”
“I thought our debutants were great last week and I’m pleased that for the most part we able to maintain some continuity across the park.
“We know the Rebels will be looking to bounce back against us and we’re expecting a physical, tough encounter on Friday.”
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Murray Douglas, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 James Slipper, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Will Miller, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Andy Muirhead.
Date: Friday, February 7
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.15 (09.15 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Way
TMO: Ian Smith
