Brumbies ready for the next test
After falling in the final moments to the Chiefs last Friday, the Brumbies have made just three changes for Saturday’s clash with the Highlanders.
Scott Fardy has moved to the bench, with Sam Carter being given back his starting No.5 jersey in the second row. His return to the tight five has pushed Peter Kimlin to blindside flank.
Cam Crawford has dropped off the bench with Tevita Kuridrani given his first chance in a Super Rugby, 22-man squad.
Should Kuridrani make it onto the pitch on Saturday night he will become Brumby No.149 and the eighth new Brumbies cap of 2012.
Head coach Jake White said keeping selections consistent had allowed the team to work on its new combinations.
“We’ve been lucky with injuries this far in the competition which has allowed us to pick similar 22-man squads each week,” White said.
“The more these guys play together the better they will understand each other’s game and we are seeing a lot of those combinations take shape.
“The Highlanders are the benchmark of the competition and are still undefeated so Saturday presents us with a tremendous opportunity to see where we are up to.”
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Leon Power, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Scott Fardy, 19 Ita Vaea, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Zack Holmes, 22 Tevita Kuridrani.
Date: Saturday, March 24
Venue: Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Simon Moore (Australia)
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)
