Taliauli starts for suspended Speight

 

With Henry Speight ruled out through suspension earlier this week, Larkham has named Lausii Taliauli to start on the wing. Taliauli is a former Australian Sevens player and appeared in the NRL’s National Youth Competition with the Gold Coast Titans.

 

He debuted with the Brumbies this season, and has scored one Super Rugby try from six appearances.

 

"Lausii is a good young player. With Henry [Speight] ruled out we think he’s the right man for the job," Larkham said.

 

There are no other changes named from the side that ran in six tries against the Stormers.

 

The sudden death semifinal will also be Brumbies Prop Scott Sio’s 50th match for the club.

 

Sio made his Super Rugby debut in 2012 and at just 23 has already earned five Wallabies caps.

 

The powerhouse prop is concentrating on helping his side to victory against the table-topping Hurricanes.

 

"You look at guys like [James] Broadhurst, Ardie Savea, Ben Franks…they've all had stellar seasons," Sio said.

 

"They're all working for each other at the moment, which is the biggest thing we've noticed."

 

The Brumbies flew out to Wellington on Thursday and will hold a captain’s run tomorrow ahead of Saturday’s match.

 

The Canberra outfit have a good record against the Hurricanes, winning the last four contests.

 

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Lausii Taliauli, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Nigel Ah Wong, 23 Robbie Coleman.

 

Date: Saturday, June 27

Venue: Westpac Stadium. Wellington

Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 AEST; 07.35 GMT)

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Nick Briant (New Zealand)

TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)