Brumbies get double Wallaby boost

 

Carter missed last week’s win over the Highlanders after being given personal leave while Alexander started from the bench.

 

Their elevation sends Blake Enever and Ruan Smith to the bench while Rory Arnold drops out of the matchday 23. 

 

On the bench James Dargaville makes an early return from injury to the matchday 23, forcing Rodney Iona out of the squad.

 

Dargaville’s inclusion on the bench comes after he has improved to full contact this week, putting a lisfranc strain suffered a month ago squarely behind him.

 

Along with Jesse Mogg and Tevita Kuridrani, Dargaville is the third injured Brumby to return to full duties ahead of schedule during April.

 

Head coach Stephen Larkham said ‘Waratah week’ was always an exciting time of the year.

 

“We’re really looking forward to this match on Friday, the Waratahs have managed to win the last three encounters against us, but we have done everything right this week to change that trend,” Larkham said.

 

“We always have a fiery battle with them, historically there’s always a lot of passion in these games and I’m sure Friday will be no different.”

 

The last three times the Brumbies and Waratahs have faced off this game has been played in Sydney, the home team managing to keep a clean sheet through the back end of 2014 and the start of 2015.

 

But in Canberra the Tahs have often faltered, winning just two games here since the competition started in 1996.

 

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Robbie Coleman, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Michael Dowsett, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Jordan Smiler, 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 Jarrad Butler, 21 Joe Powell, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Nigel Ah Wong.

 

Date: Friday, May 1

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)

Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)

Assistant referees: Matt O'Brien (Australia), Federico Anselmi

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)