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Brumbies ring the changes for quarter-final versus Sharks
By Online Editors
Brumbies are banking on home advantage in Canberra proving decisive when they take on the South African Sharks at GIO Stadium on Saturday in the Super Rugby quarter-finals.
The sole Australian knock-out stage qualifier have won six games in succession and not lost a home match since February. Head coach Dan McKellar has now made four changes to the team that defeated the Reds to retain the Rod Macqueen Cup.
Henry Speight has been passed fit to reclaim the right wing spot, and Toni Pulu returns to the left wing forming a potent back three alongside Tom Banks.
The other two changes are in the back row where Tom Cusack and Pete Samu return to the starting XV alongside Rob Valetini. Loose forwards Lachlan McCaffrey and Jahrome Brown will provide power and impact from the replacements bench.
The nucleus of the pack that has been the benchmark for the Super Rugby competition in 2019 is retained with the all-international front row of Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa packing down with Brumbies leading try-scorer, Folau Fainga’a, the hooker having claimed 11 tries this season.
Christian Leali'ifano will win his 149th Super Rugby cap, leading the team for the 47th time as captain to equal the mark set by George Gregan. The gifted playmaker is also closing in on 950 Super Rugby points.
McKellar has opted for six forwards on the bench, adding Darcy Swain into the finishers with the front row substitutes being Connal McInerney, James Slipper and Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, the latter running out for his 49th Super Rugby appearance.
Matt Lucas makes a return to the matchday 23 as one of two back replacements, together with utility Tom Wright who crossed for his third try of the season in the win over the Reds.
Should the Brumbies be successful in their quarter-final there are two potential semi-final fixtures. If the Jaguares defeat the Chiefs in Buenos Aires, the Brumbies will travel to Argentina, but if the Chiefs are successful the New Zealanders will be the opposition at GIO Stadium.
BRUMBIES (v Sharks, Saturday): T Banks; H Speight, T Kuridrani, I Simone, T Pulu; C Leali'ifano (capt), J Powell; S Sio, F Fainga’a, A Alaalatoa, R Arnold, S Carter, R Valetini, T Cusack, P Samu. Reps: C McInerney, J Slipper, L Leuluaialii-Makin, D Swain, L McCaffrey, J Brown, M Lucas, T Wright.
WATCH: Brumbies boss Dan McKellar previews their quarter-final showdown with the Sharks
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Latest Comments
There is a major story unfolding around Gleeson's bar in Booterstown, South Dublin City last night. Beaudy Barrett, DMac and Cody Taylor were there. DMac was supposed to be on the Guinness 0.0 but lets just say it didn't turn out that way.
Hours later, Dmac out cold, head on the table with a long stallagtite of flem and spittle rising and falling with his breathing. There is a video apparently.
The barman barred a staggering Taylor from any more Guinness but Taylor kept pushing past him, pulled a seat up to the Guinness tap and personally pulled himself pints, claiming it was 'celebrity pint pulls mate'.
One of these celebrity pint pulls made a local paper but it's only a matter of time before the real context comes out. Dmac is out of the team for Friday due to breaking 'internal standards', Sititi starting at 10.
Go to commentsNow that made me laugh bull!
I tell you what though, the head knock from Kriel on Hugh jones in the wc that didn’t result in any card was a real mystery with the way things are now.
Also suspect the Boks will be pretty well motivated by glasgows antics in stellenbosch last week and loftus in June…
Should be a cracker hopefully!
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