Saffa brothers in Brumbies scrum
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For the first time Brumbies history, brothers will start together in the front row, with JP Smith and Ruan Smith earning the No.1 and No.3 jerseys respectively for the clash against the Highlanders.
JP Smith started out his career playing for Western Province in South Africa, where he was a member of their youth system between 2009 and 2010 and also made 5 appearances during the 2010 Vodacom Cup season.
He emigrated to Australia along with twin-brother Ruan at the end of 2010.
Ruan Smith made his Super Rugby debut for the Force during the 2012 Super Rugby season.
He previously played for Western Province in South Africa's Vodacom Cup.
Not since George and Tyrone Smith in 2010 have two brothers started together, while Anthony and Saia Faingaa round out the only other sibling combination for the Brumbies, which was last sighted in 2008.
The Brumbies have re-adjusted their tight five significantly, with a new-look lock combination of Blake Enever and Jordan Smiler also set for a start.
For Smiler, it’s his first start for 2015.
Ita Vaea claims the starting No.8 jersey for the Highlanders match, moving Jarrad Butler to the bench where he will be joined by Rory Arnold and Ben Alexander.
Robbie Coleman debuted at inside centre back in 2010 and he will again register a cap there on Friday.
His move to the centres brings Jesse Mogg into the starting side at fullback for the first time in 2015 where he will be supported by Tevita Kuridrani at outside centre.
Flyhalf Christian Lealiifano said the Brumbies would need a big effort to get a win on Friday over the Highlanders but he was confident the team had enough in the tank to get there.
“Tevita [Kuridrani] and [Jesse] Moggy are looking pretty good, they’ve been training hard the last couple of weeks with the red bib so it’ll be good to get that little bit of experience back,” Lealiifano said.
“Moggy gives us great coverage with his kicking ability and Tevita with his size and ball carrying ability.”
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Robbie Coleman, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Michael Dowsett, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Jordan Smiler, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 JP Smith.Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Rory Arnold, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Rod Iona, 23 Nigel Ah Wong.
Date: Friday, April 24
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.55 (21:55 NZST, 09.55 GMT)
Referee: Matt O'Brien
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees, Damien Mitchelmore
TMO: Peter Marshall
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