Brumbies give schoolboy sensation a shot against Rebels
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENTS: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has announced the two squads that will play in Super Rugby pre-season trials against the Melbourne Rebels in Albury on Thursday.
The first squad contains a mixture of Super Rugby contracted players as well as Brumbies Academy and up-and-coming youngsters at the franchise.
Schoolboy sensation, Reesjan Pasitoa will make his first appearance in a Brumbies jersey at inside centre, while new recruit Issak Fines and rookie Bayley Kuenzle will pair up in the halves.
The second game at Greenfield Park will see rookie Noah Lolesio get first crack at the Brumbies No.10 jersey in 2020 and Allan Alaalatoa lead the side for the first time since being announced as the team’s captain earlier this week.
Towering duo, Murray Douglas and Darcy Swain will form a new partnership in the second row, while NRL convert Solomone Kata will get a chance to impress when he starts on the wing.
McKellar said: “Everyone’s really excited to get down to Albury and play some footy and put the things we’ve been working on into practice.
“We’ve got a lot of Brumbies fans down in the Albury region so we’re really thrilled to be able to take a pre-season fixture like this down to the area.
“It’s a great opportunity for some of the new faces and also for some of the guys that have been around for a while to put their hands up for selection for Round One next Friday.”
Game One:
Brumbies: 15 Mack Hansen*, 14 Tom Haddad, 13 Len Ikitau*, 12 Reesjan Pasitoa, 11 Guy Porter, 10 Bayley Kuenzle*, 9 Issak Fines, 8 Luke Reimer, 7 Jahrome Brown*, 6 Rory Scott, 5 Nick Frost*, 4 Tom Hooper, 3 Tom Ross*, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 Harry Lloyd*.
Replacements – from: Billy Pollard, Fred Kahea, Bo Abra, Callum McDonald, Zeph Tuinona, Lachlan Osbourne, Lachie Albert, Isaac Henry, Billy Carberry, Dennis Waight, Tony Alofipo, Luke Gersekowski.
*Indicates player will also play in Game Two
Kick-off at 15:45
Game Two:
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 Darcy Swain, 4 Murray Douglas, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements – from: Connal McInerney, James Slipper, Caderyn Neville, Will Miller, Ryan Lonergan, Andy Muirhead, Toni Pulu.
Kick-off at 18:15
