Matt Toomua
The Brumbies have called in the cavalry with six highly experienced players returning for Friday’s do or die match with the Force.
Pat McCabe, Matt Toomua, Tom McVerry, Josh Mann-Rea, Sam Carter and Joe Tomane have all been included in the match-day 23 providing the Brumbies with world class talent to chase a spot in the competition’s top six.
Nic White will line up for his 50th cap with the side while Ben Mowen equals George Gregan’s record 49 caps as captain.
At the ripe old age of 33, Mann-Rea has earned his debut start at hooker, with Ruaidhri Murphy included on the bench and Luke Holmes shifting out of the match-day 23. Sam Carter will partner Leon Power at lock shifting Scott Fardy to blindside flanker, with McVerry partnering Fotu Auelua on the bench as back up loose forwards.
Tomane and McCabe will also be used as impact players from the bench after recovering from facial and shoulder injuries, respectively.
“It’s nice to have some more experience back in the pack and on our bench this week,” captain Ben Mowen said on Thursday.
“The Force presents us with a huge challenge. Since 2006, this is their best chance at playing finals rugby and we need to be able to lift past that to get a result.”
“We haven’t looked at bonus points or anything past this week. The situation for us is if we beat the Force then we advance. You can’t start looking any further ahead than Friday night.”
The winner of Friday night’s clash will secure a spot in the Super Rugby Finals Series with several likely scenarios which could assure a home final.
Results and bonus points considered, there is also a mathematical chance for the loser to advance.
The final game of the regular season has traditionally provided a stumbling block for the Brumbies with the Canberra-based side winning just once since 2005.
That occasion was in 2007 against the Highlanders, leaving the Brumbies with a significant challenge to overcome on Friday night.
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (Captain), 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Leon Power, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Ruaidhri Murphy, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 JP Smith, 19 Fotu Auelua, 20 Tom McVerry, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Joe Tomane, 23 Pat McCabe.
Date: Friday 11 July
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-Off: 11:40 SA Time (19:40 AEST, 17:40 AWST, 09:40 GMT)
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Andrew Lees (Australia)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)