Brumbies unchanged for Reds
The Brumbies remain unchanged from the side which beat the Western Force last Friday.
Lausii Taliauli maintains his spot on the bench due to an ongoing ear infection which kept Jesse Mogg out of the 23-man squad just before kick-off against the Force.
It’s the first time Stephen Larkham has been blessed with the same starting side three-weeks straight since the start of the 2015 season.
The news of an unchanged side is the second boost the Brumbies have enjoyed this week on back of contract extensions to Wallabies Josh Mann-Rea, Scott Fardy and Sam Carter, who will all face the Reds.
Flyhalf Matt Toomua said it was a good opportunity for his side to work on combinations through the first half of the season.
“With the same combinations developing week on week, we’ll certainly start to see continuity and cohesion across the field,” Toomua said.
“The Reds always present us with one of our biggest challenges each year, particularly when the game is being played in Brisbane in front of their parochial crowd.
“These are the games you look forward to though, there is a great rivalry developing between the Reds and the Brumbies and hopefully we see a bit of that passion and enthusiasm on the pitch this Saturday night.”
The Reds have a disappointing record against the Brumbies in Brisbane, having won just two games there since 1996.
Brumbies: 15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.
Repalcements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 JP Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Blake Enever, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Lausii Taliauli, 23 James Dargaville.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 18.40 local (08.40 GMT, 19.40 AEDT)
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Matt O'Brien (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
