Experienced scrumhalf Joe Powell has been recalled to the starting side for the Plus500 Brumbies round nine Vodafone Super Rugby AU showdown with the Western Force at GIO Stadium Canberra tomorrow night, Friday 28 August.
Powell is the only change to the starting XV with coach Dan McKellar choosing to keep the same forward pack that defeated the Waratahs last Saturday night.
Wallabies prop James Slipper and skipper Allan Alaalatoa will again pack down with hooker Connal McInerney in the front row, while Cadeyrn Neville caps off a big week after re-signing with the club, pairing with Murray Douglas in the second row.
The backrow sees Lachlan McCaffrey starting at blindside flanker with Will Miller wearing the number seven jersey and last week’s Man of the Match, Pete Samu anchoring the back of the scrum.
Powell will partner Bayley Kuenzle in the halves with the dangerous pairing of Irae Simone and Solomone Kata holding down the midfield.
After bagging another two tries last week Tom Wright remains on the wing with fellow try-scorer Andy Muirhead on the other edge and the elusive Tom Banks at fullback.
Wallaby Folau Fainga’a makes his return to the matchday squad as replacement hooker with Scott Sio and Tom Ross the finishing props, McKellar opting to return to a 5/3 bench with Darcy Swain and Rob Valetini the other forward finishers.
After making a successful return in Brumbies colours last week, Nic White will again get an opportunity off the pine alongside promising young playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa and the hard-hitting Len Ikitau.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: “It’s great to have Joey back in the squad this week, he provides a lot of leadership and he’ll bring a lot of energy on the field.”
“The Force have been on the road a long time now and we know they’ll be coming down here and throwing everything at us and we’ll be ready for that tomorrow night.
“The team and the whole organisations is really pleased that we’re able to have more supporters at GIO Stadium on Friday night and we’re thankful to those that have allowed that to happen.”
PLUS500 BRUMBIES ROUND NINE TEAM
1. James Slipper
2. Connal McInerney
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c)
4. Murray Douglas
5. Cadeyrn Neville
6. Lachlan McCaffrey
7. Will Miller
8. Pete Samu
9. Joe Powell
10. Bayley Kuenzle
11. Tom Wright
12. Irae Simone
13. Solomone Kata
14. Andy Muirhead
15. Tom Banks
REPLACEMENTS
16. Folau Fainga’a
17. Scott Sio
18. Tom Ross
19. Darcy Swain
20. Rob Valetini
21. Nic White
22. Reesjan Pasitoa
23. Len Ikitau
The Brumbies will take on the Western Force in Round Nine of Vodafone Super Rugby AU at GIO Stadium Canberra on Friday 28 August 7.05pm. Live on FOX Sports and Kayo.
For more sport:
- Cadeyrn Neville re-signs with the Brumbies
- Timoko to make Raiders debut against the Bulldogs
- Canberra’s push for the A-League continues
- Brumbies seal top spot with win over Force
