Pocock and Co. await Hurricanes
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies boss Dan McKellar has made four changes to the side that beat the Chiefs in stunning fashion at GIO Stadium last Saturday.
2019 recruit Pete Samu is set to make his run on debut for the Brumbies at six, alongside David Pocock who is fit enough to rejoin the starting XV named to take on the Hurricanes in Palmerston North.
In what is a clear indication of the Brumbies strength and depth, Wallabies bookend Scott Sio comes in for James Slipper at loosehead prop having gained some match fitness off the bench the past two weeks.
Sio will form a familiar looking front row with fellow internationals Folau Fainga’a and Allan Alaalatoa, who start at Hooker and Tighthead prop respectively.
Slipper, one of the Brumbies best performers to date this season, is named in the finishing group and will likely play a pivotal role amongst the finishers.
At lock, Blake Enever swaps with Sam Carter to partner Rory Arnold in the second row, following some key impacts off the bench so far in 2019.
Darcy Swain earns Enever’s place in the replacements after impressing in the preseason and with the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship.
Joining Samu and Pocock in the loose forwards is Lachlan McCaffrey at Number 8. His play and leadership has caught the eye of Brumbies fans this season, and will look to link up with an exciting Brumbies backline, which is unchanged for Round three.
Joe Powell drove the Brumbies pack all day against the Chiefs, and renews his partnership with Brumbies skipper Christian Lealiifano, who was simply superb last Saturday.
Irae Simone and Tevita Kuridrani start once again in the centres, Kuridrani having bagged a brace of tries from 13 at GIO Stadium.
Andy Muirhead and Chance Peni are retained on the flanks, the latter, Peni scored two tries of his own against the Chiefs, showcasing his unique finishing power on his return to Brumbies action.
At fullback, Tom Banks is growing into a world class operator, and is crucial to the Brumbies chances against the ‘Canes, both in attack and defence.
In the replacements, Josh Mann-Rea will provide quality cover at hooker with Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin taking his place as the Tighthead prop reserve.
Tom Cusack reverts to the bench this week with Pocock’s inclusion after being one of the Brumbies standout performers the previous week and will no doubt provide a huge impact.
The rest of the replacements remain unchanged with Matt Lucas, Wharenui Hawera and Tom Wright providing some potentially crucial spark for the Brumbies backline.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Chance Peni, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 David Pocock, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 James Slipper, 18 Leslie Leauluaialii-Makin, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Tom Cusack, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Tom Wright
Date: Friday, March 1
Venue: Palmerston North, New Zealand
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT, 17.35 Australian Time)
Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant referees: Federico Anselmi, Nick Hogan
TMO: Aaron Paterson
TEAM NEWS | 🐎🐎https://t.co/kKm7Md2ztw#HURvBRU#BrumbiesFamily#Plus500 pic.twitter.com/o5zgt5sI8Z
— Plus500 Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) February 27, 2019
