SUPER RUGBY AU, ROUND SIX
BRUMBIES vs FORCE, Friday 7.45pm AEDT at GIO Stadium
The Brumbies will have another new captain for their clash with the Force, as halfback Nic White steps up to lead the side in the absence of Tom Cusack.
Loose forward Cusack is out with an injured shoulder while first-choice skipper Allan Alaalatoa remains suspended – leaving White as a very capable third option.
The Wallabies No.9 has captained the Brumbies twice before and becames the club’s youngest skipper in 2013 when he led them as a 22-year-old.
Jahrome Brown returns to the backrow in place of Cusack while Wallabies prop James Slipper has been switched to the tighthead side.
“James is a senior player who prides himself on his detail and wanted to know as soon as possible if he’d be playing at tighthead,” Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.
“He’s more than comfortable in that position and happy to do what’s best for the team.
“We’re really looking forward to having Slips back out there on Friday night because he was very good for us at the start of the year.”
Props Fred Kaihea and Sefo Kautai and backrower Rory Scott are also set to make their Brumbies debuts off the bench.
Kaihea and Scott are local products while former Chiefs and New Zealand under-20s representative Kautai has impressed immediately after being a mid-season recruit to Canberra.
“Sefo’s been good since arriving, scrummages well and has good experience at this level,” McKellar said.
“He hasn’t played since November but he’s shown up in really good shape.”
Meanwhile, the Force’s chances of recording an upset have been hurt by injuries to veteran Test backs Rob Kearney and Richard Kahui.
In their place come Jack McGregor and Marcel Brache at fullback and left wing respectively, with coach Tim Sampson describing the changes as “an easy transition.”
Jono Lance is recalled to the matchday 23, while England under-20s recruit Jordan Olowofela is set to make his first appearance for the Force.
“We’ve got to play smart and not allow them to make easy entries into our defensive area,” Sampson said.
“We need to frustrate the Brumbies and make them work hard.
“They like to come out of the blocks quickly, so I’m expecting a high tempo contest throughout.”
BRUMBIES (15-1): Tom Banks, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Mack Hansen, Noah Lolesio, Nic White (c), Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Caderyn Neville, Darcy Swain, James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Harry Lloyd
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Fred Kaihea, Sefo Kautai, James Tucker, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan, Reesjan Pasitoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
FORCE (15-1): Jack McGregor, Byron Ralston, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Taefu, Marcel Brache, Jake McIntyre, Tomas Cubelli, Brynard Stander (c), Kane Koteka, Fergus Lee-Warner, Sitaleki Timani, Jeremy Thrush, Greg Holmes, Feleti Kaitu’u, Tom Robertson
Reserves: Jack Winchester, Angus Wagner, Santiago Medrano, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Ian Prior, Jono Lance, Jordan Olowofela
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