Brumbies to test their Wallabies
February 01 2010
There will be a large Wallaby feel to the Brumbies starting XV that will face the Waratahs in their final pre-season match in Canberra on Thursday.
Head Coach Andy Friend's pack has benefited from the return all but two of their November tourists, with hooker Stephen Moore, lock Mark Chisholm and flank George Smith all returning.
New recruit and Australia captain Rocky Elsom has also been named on the blindside to make his first appearance since joining the Brumbies.
Matt Giteau (quad) and Ben Alexander (hand) were the only two players not considered.
The back-line has also received a revamp from the one that went down to the Hurricanes 26-5 in New Zealand on Friday, with pivot Matt Toomua joining scrum-half Josh Valentine in the halves and Christian Lealiifano shifting to inside centre to form a new-look midfield with Stirling Mortlock.
Returning Wallabies full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper will head the Brumbies outside backs while Andrew Smith and Pat McCabe have each recovered from quadriceps injuries to take up their positions on the wings.
And Friend refused to play down their upcoming fixture, saying is an important one with the start of the Super 14 just eleven days away.
"Friday's trial [against the Hurricanes] was a good starting point for us and obviously we'll look to build on that for Thursday night," he said.
"We're still in the pre-season, there will be some glitches but this is the time to identify them and address them before the competition starts in earnest against the Force on February 12.
"In saying that, it's great to be able to include another five Wallabies in our side. They're some of the best players in their respective positions and it's important for them to get some game time under their belt before we head to Perth.
"The Tahs will again be a benchmark side of the competition this season. They've had two good hit-outs [against the Reds and Fiji Warriors] during their pre-season and they'll give us a fairly good indication of where we stand leading into the season."
Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Andrew Smith, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Pat McCabe, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (capt), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Salesi Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 John Ulugia, 18 Justin Harrison, 19 Mitch Chapman, 20 Henry Vanderglas, 21 Patrick Phibbs, 22 Tyrone Smith, 23 Francis Fainifo.
Date: Thursday, February 3
Kick-off: 19.30 local time
Venue: Viking Park, Canberra