The Brumbies have made several changes to the team that lost to the Waratahs for their match against the Highlanders in Invercargill.
Salesi Ma’afu gets his first start at tighthead this week with Dan Palmer being rested on the bench. He is joined in the front row by Ben Alexander and Huia Edmonds, while Anthony Hegarty again fills the hooking-bench position.
At flanker, Peter Kimlin moves into the starting team for Colby Faingaa who moves onto the bench.
Faingaa will be looking for a big game on Friday having re-signed with Brumbies Rugby earlier in the week for another two years.
In the backs, Adam Ashley-Cooper has been shifted to the wing in place of Franky Fainifo who moves to the bench.
The fullback position will be occupied by Matt Toomua.
The rest of the backline remains in tact from the team’s last match.
On the bench, Tyrone Smith has earned his first crack at Super Rugby in 2011, making way for Robbie Coleman who will be rested this weekend.
Brumbies:
1. Ben Alexander , 2. Huia Edmonds , 3. Salesi Maafu , 4. Ben Hand , 5. Mark Chisholm , 6. Peter Kimlin , 7. Julian Salvi , 8. Ita Vaea , 9. Josh Valentine , 10. Matt Giteau , 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper , 12. Christian Lealiifano , 13. Andrew Smith , 14. Henry Speight , 15. Matt Toomua
Replacements: 16. Anthony Hegarty , 17. Dan Palmer , 18. Colby Faingaa , 19. Michael Hooper , 20. Patrick Phibbs , 21. Tyrone Smith , 22. Franky Fainifo.