The ACT Brumbies will take on the Western Force in their only Super Rugby preseason trial on *UPDATED Tuesday 9 February, 6.00pm at Viking Park.Â
The announcement comes after the Brumbies trial match against the NSW Waratahs scheduled for 30 January in Bowral was cancelled earlier this month.
Just over 2000 Brumbies fans will get their first chance to see their side at the Erindale venue, before their first home game against the NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium on Saturday 27 February.
The contest will give the Brumbies a fair idea of what to expect when they take on the Force again in round one of the Super Rugby AU competition on Friday 19 February at HBF Park in Perth.
The trial match will consist of three 30 minute periods and it is expected Brumbies coach Dan McKellar will select a strong Brumbies outfit, with the Wallabies representatives to be available.
The Viking Park fixture will also be a homecoming for some in the Force ranks with long time Brumbies outside centre Tevita Kuridrani to be in opposition colours for the first time while former Brumbies Ian Prior, Kyle Godwin, Tomas Cubelli and Academy graduate Angus Wagner likely to be in the Force’s travelling group.
The visitors are also expected to have Irish international star Rob Kearney in their squad along with Argentinian Internationals Cubelli, Tomas Lezana, Santiago Medrano and Domingo Miotti.
Force mentor Tim Sampson is another familiar face to ACT rugby, with the former Tuggeranong coach returning again to Viking Park in WA blue.
Plus500 Brumbies coach McKellar said they were looking forward to getting back on the park. “We’re really excited to get back on the field and especially to be able to kick off our year here in Canberra in front of our supporters,” said McKellar.
“The whole squad and the support staff have worked incredibly hard over the last few months and I’m sure the players are looking forward to putting some of the things we’ve worked on into practise on the field.
“It will be a great opportunity to play against the Force who have a really strong squad and a number of players and staff who have spent time in the ACT Rugby community.”
Click here for the full Super Rugby fixture.
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