Holmes the Brumbies' bolter
Zack Holmes will make his run-on debut for the Brumbies this Friday in Wellington, when the West Australian flyer fills the No.10 jersey in his side’s clash with the Hurricanes.
Holmes was one of just two changes to the Brumbies team announced on Wednesday, with Ian Prior and Nic White also being rotated at scrumhalf.
Holmes – who has represented his country’s national Sevens team – comes into the 22-man squad for Christian Lealiifano, who suffered a season-ending broken ankle against the Waratahs two weeks ago.
The Hurricanes have a chance to move into the top two of the New Zealand conference with a win over the Brumbies (and subject to other results) and with fullback Andre Taylor now the competition’s leading try-scorer (with eight), defence will be the key to a win in Wellington.
The Brumbies haven’t won in Wellington since 2003, but Jake White said history would count for little as his team made its charge towards the finals.
“At this point in the season we have to be winning every game we can to be sure we have a good shot at making the play-offs,” White said.
“Zack has performed well with the limited opportunities he’s been given and we are confident he has what it takes to guide this backline around.
“The Hurricanes are only a couple of points off the top teams in the New Zealand Conference so we know they will be looking to move forward and make a run at a finals spot themselves. They are a bit like our side, in that there is plenty of youth and enthusiasm there.
“But we’ve prepared well for this game, the bye came at a good time and now we are ready to take them on.”
The Brumbies will leave for Wellington on Thursday.
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Fotu Auelua, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ben Mowen (captain), 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Ita Vaea, 20 Nic White, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Tevita Kuridrani.
Date: Friday, May 18
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
