Brumbies drop White, shuffle backs

 

Injuries to Scott Sio, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua and James Dargaville have forced coach Stephen Larkham to rethink selections, particularly in his backline, which remained intact for the first third of the season.

 

In all, the Brumbies have made five new inclusions to the starting team, and two to the bench, after last week’s loss to the Blues in Auckland.

 

At scrumhalf Michael Dowsett gets the nod to start over Test No.9 Nic White – the Wallaby sliding to the bench.

 

Dowsett is joined in the starting side by Lausii Taliauli on the wing, Nigel Ah Wong at inside centre and JP Smith at prop. 

 

Their inclusion pushes Christian Lealiifano to flyhalf to cover Toomua, and keeps Robbie Coleman in his usual position at fullback.

 

Rory Arnold returns to the starting side after recuperating from a back complaint, pushing Blake Enever to the bench, while Rod Iona also receives a call up to the replacements list for the first time in 2015.

 

In Smith’s bench spot Allan Alaalatoa fills jersey No.17.

 

While Smith earned several starts last season, for Dowsett, Ah Wong and Taliauli, the Rebels game will be the first time they have been elevated off the bench.

 

Dowsett said it was time for the Brumbies depth to be tested, and he was confident of filling the gap this weekend.

 

“Over the last three years I think we’ve been able to improve the depth at the Brumbies, so when injuries do come along they can be filled and we don’t miss a beat,” Dowsett said.

 

“As one of the guys coming into the starting side I’m excited by the opportunity I’ve been presented.

 

"We’ve been training for this since November, so with the knowledge we’ve got under our belts there shouldn’t be any issues for us in doing our jobs.”

 

Brumbies: 15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Lausii Taliauli, 13 Henry Speight, 12 Nigel Ah Wong, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Michael Dowsett, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 JP Smith.

Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Ita Vaea, 21 Jordan Smiler, 22 Nic White, 23 Rodney Iona.

 

Date: Saturday, April 18

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant referees: James Leckie, Fredrico Anselmi

TMO: George Ayoub