Sam Carter returns to the starting side this Friday when the Brumbies take on the Chiefs in a Super Rugby Final rematch, Anzac Day showdown at GIO Stadium.
Two of the competition’s leading sides over the last two years go head to head in Canberra for the first time since 2011, with Carter one of just two adjustments to the side which also sees a return to the starting side of Christian Lealiifano at inside centre.
Pat McCabe moves back to the bench, while Tom Staniforth drops out of the match-day 23.
On the bench, new recruit Tom McVerry will get his first opportunity in a Brumbies jersey having joined the club as flanker cover after a season ending injury to David Pocock.
Returning from a bye and a win over the Reds two weeks ago, the rest of the Brumbies team remains untouched.
Director of Rugby Laurie Fisher said the Chiefs presented a significant challenge.
“The lineout is an area we try to target every week, with a team like the Chiefs that’s also important, they tend to go short so we need to be aware of that,” Fisher said.
“That’s the lineout which has won the competition for the last two years and they always seem to find a way around the park.
“We haven’t played the Chiefs in Canberra over for the last two years, we’ve played them twice away and been desperately close both times. I think being at home will present us with new opportunities.
“Anzac Day is a wonderful occasion in Australia these days, the new generation coming through have shown a great deal respect for the Anzac tradition and I believe it’s one of the finest days on the Australian calendar.”
The last time the Brumbies face the Chiefs in Canberra was Round 1, 2011, when the home side walked away 28-20 winners.
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Robbie Coleman, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (Captain), 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Jordan Smiler, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 JP Smith, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Tom McVerry, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Pat McCabe.
Date: Friday, April 24
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-Off: 09:40 SA Time (17:40 AEST, 07:40 GMT, 19:40 NZ Time)
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia) , Andrew Lees (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
Brumbies / Ciefs pick on Bru????
Fark, this is difficult!
It’s at Canberra… 5-point advantage to the Brumbies
The Chiefs are the current champs and moerred the Brumbies in the 2013 final… 5-point advantage to the Chiefs
The home teams have won most of the games this season & the Chiefs are vulnerable, as was shown against the Force… 5-point Brumbies advantage
The Brumbies have also been vulnerable at times in recent weeks and the Chiefs have a better balanced side… 5-point advantage to the Chiefs
Both sides on 25 Log points… dead heat
The Chiefs have lost 2 and drawn 2, advantage Brumbies
But the Brumbies have also lost 2 and the 2 Chifs draws were both away from home, overseas in SA, advantage Chiefs
… argh, right back to step one…
Shall I play eeny, meeny, miny, mo?
@ grootblousmile: Sheez boet, you’re not wrong; it’s been bugging me the whole week!
So in the end I picked up my trusty set of darts & “luckily” all three landed on the Brumbies’ side of the board!
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