Allan Alaalatoa makes his 1st career start while Matt Toomua returns to the fray at No 12 when the Brumbies take on the Emirates Lions this Saturday in Johannesburg.
Needing a win to stay in finals contention, the match proves as vital in the context of both side’s seasons as the play-offs edge closer each week.
Alaalatoa has featured heavily off the bench this season and played the bulk of last week’s game at loosehead prop, but Saturday’s start provides the young prop with an opportunity to stable the scrum which was heavily penalised against the Stormers.
The pair’s inclusion pushes JP Smith and Robbie Coleman from the starting side to the replacements bench.
Like Alaalatoa, Toomua will look for a massive performance having been out of the side through an ankle injury for the better part of a month.
“It was a little bit lonely flying over by myself but I got some sleep and I’m good to go,” Toomua said.
“I needed to be at home just for that extra week to get my ankle right but it’s feeling good and I’ve been given the all clear so I’ll be playing this weekend.
“The Lions are an exciting team to watch. They love playing from their own end, they love quick lineouts and off-loads, which is unorthodox for a South African side which would usually be so dominant at set-piece and go from there.”
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Allan Alaalatoa.
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Jean-Paul Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jarrad Butler, 20 Jordan Smiler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Robbie Coleman.
Date: Saturday 16 May
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Kick-Off: 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT, Sunday 01:05 AEST, Sunday 03:05 NZ Time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Johan Greeff
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