Brumbies change two
May 14 2008
The Brumbies have made two changes to their starting XV for their final match of the 2008 Super 14 season against the Western Force at Subiaco Oval on Friday.
Winger Francis Fainifo and scrum-half Patrick Phibbs return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench against the Bulls in Pretoria last week. They replace Afusipa Taumoepeau and Joshua Holmes who revert back to the bench.
The Brumbies forward pack remains in tact with John Ulugia holding down the hooker's position while George Smith, Mitchell Chapman and Stephen Hoiles will continue to make up the side's back row.
Head Coach Laurie Fisher has opted for a traditional four-forwards, three-backs bench, with Saia Faingaa, Salesi Ma'afu, Peter Kimlin, Julian Salvi and Matt Toomua joining Taumoepeau and Holmes in the reserves.
Outside centre Stirling Mortlock will eclipse Brett Robinson (43 caps) as the second most capped Brumbies captain and will finish the season within five matches of George Gregan, who led the Brumbies on 49 occasions.
Fisher says Friday's match is an important one in building towards 2009.
"It's important to finish the season with a good performance, not only to only end the season on a high but to set the side up for next year," he said.
"Our goal isn't to do anything radically different in our last match and throw the ball around frivolously. We have a focus on consolidating on what we've worked on throughout the season and continue developing towards 2009.
"Over the past few weeks we've created a lot of opportunities that we haven't capitalised on. We have a mixture of experience within the squad and it's important that we're aware of our decision making and probably show a little more patience when we create those opportunities."
Brumbies: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 George Smith, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Salesi Maafu, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Joshua Holmes, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Afusipa Taumoepeau
Date: Friday, May 16
Venue: Subiaco Oval, Perth
Kick-off: 19:05 (11:05 GMT)
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)/Nathan Pearce (Australia)
Touch judges: Ian Smith (Australia), Grant MacNeill (Australia)
Television match official: Geoff Acton (Australia)
Assessor: Scott Young (Australia)