Brumbies halfback handed captaincy duties for Australia A

Head coach Jason Gilmore has named Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan captain of the Australia A side or the team's Pacific Nations Cup clash with Samoa this Saturday.

Reds backrower Fraser McReight and Melbourne Rebels fullback Reece Hodge have been named as vice-captains as Australia A returns to the field for the first time since 2008 this weekend.

McReight is set to start alongside Tim Anstee and Will Harris in the backrow as Anstee returns to the gold jersey, last representing his country for the Aussie 7s.

The side is set to play in Suva this Saturday at 11am (AEST) with Fijian-born Seru Uru returning home for his being named in the second row alongside Ryan Smith.

Matt Gibbon, Billy Pollard and former Wallaby Tom Robertson have all been named in the front row, with Robertson eager to impress as he aims to return to the Wallabies outfit.

Super Rugby sensation Tame Edmed will wear the number 10 jersey and is joined by Waratahs teammates Lalakai Foketi and Mark Nawaqanitawase, who have also been named in the starting backline.

Hodge and Reds pairing Jack Campbell and Hamish Stewart round out the backline with Stewart taking the number 12 jersey while Campbell will look to make an impact from the left wing.

Former Wallaby and Western Force captain Feleti Kaitu’u has been named as reserve hooker while Harry Hoopert and Archer Holz make up the reserve front-row.

Rebels halfback James Tuttle has also earned his way into the side after being a late inclusion into the squad joined by fellow late call-up Hudson Creighton and Waratahs fan favourite Dylan Pietsch.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with Ryan’s ability to lead his Brumbies side over their successful Super Rugby Pacific campaign," said Gilmore. “He’s certainly the right man for the job and pairing him in front of two already proven leaders in McReight and Hodge as vice-captains builds us a pretty inspiring leadership group.

“We’ve had to make some extremely tough decisions leading up to game one with many players missing out on a jersey that certainly deserves it. It just shows the extraordinary level of depth we currently have in Australian Rugby and I think this competition will only yield successful results for the program.

“I think there are a lot of players who have a point to prove in this side and it’s going to be interesting to see how they play when they get the opportunity this Saturday.”

Australia A will kick off their campaign against Samoa at 11:00am (AEST) prior to the Wallabies kicking off against England in their first match of the July series in Perth at 5:55 pm (AWST).

Australia A: Reece Hodge, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Lalakai Foketi, Hamish Stewart, Jock Campbell, Tane Edmed, Ryan Lonergan (c), Will Harris, Fraser McReight, Tim Anstee, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Tom Robertson, Billy Pollard, Matt Gibbon. Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Harry Hoopert, Archer Holz, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, James Tuttle, Hudson Creighton, Dylan Pietsch.

- with Rugby Australia