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Irish hooker for Brumbies

Ruaidhri Murphy will make his first appearance as a hooker on Saturday when the Brumbies travel to Sydney to take on the Waratahs. 

 

Born and raised an Irish prop, Murphy has been pushed to the No.2 jersey in the absence of Stephen Moore (knee), Siliva Siliva (knee, ankle) and Josh Mann-Rea (hamstring). 

 

On the bench as cover at hooker is Luke Holmes, brother of former Brumby Josh Holmes, having been in top form for club side. 

 

A former Australian Schools captain, Holmes comes to the Brumbies with plenty of experience having previously played for the Waratahs, Force and Rebels. 

 

With Sam Carter ruled out after the Wallabies first Test victory over France, Leon Power returns to the starting side in a shuffled forward pack that also sees Jordan Smiler slide to the side of the scrum and Fotu Auelua back to the bench. 

 

Ben Alexander returns to the starting side at tighthead prop for Ruan Smith, who also moves back to the bench with his brother, JP. 

 

In the backs Robbie Coleman will celebrate his 50th game on the wing.

 

Coleman made his debut against the Reds back in 2010 and has since gone on to cement a spot in the top squad in 2014. 

 

A groin injury to Matt Toomua during the Wallabies last Test has forced several changes inside Coleman, with Christian Lealiifano set to start at flyhalf for the first time since the Brumbies faced the Kings in April last year. 

 

Andrew Smith comes into the starting side at inside centre, Jesse Mogg back to start at fullback, Clyde Rathbone to the bench and Pat McCabe has been ruled out with a shoulder complaint. 

 

On the bench Jack Whetton (lock) and Lionel Cronje (flyhalf) have been recalled to the squad, rounding out a vastly different side to the one which defeated the Rebels just over a month ago. 

 

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Andrew Smith, 11 Robbie Coleman, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Jordan Smiler, 5 Leon Power, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Ruaidhri Murphy, 1 Scott Sio

Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 JP Smith, 19 Fotu Auelua, 20 Jack Whetton, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Clyde Rathbone, 23 Lionel Cronje.

 

Date: Saturday, June 28

Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Ian Smith (Australia)

TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)

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