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Andy Muirhead returns to starting XV as Brumbies chase Kiwi sweep
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Electrifying outside back Andy Muirhead returns to the starting side for this weekend’s clash with the Hurricanes in Christchurch, as one of the notable personnel changes to the First XV ahead of the Super Round showdown.
Muirhead was named on the bench for the round 10 defeat to the Fijian Drua in Canberra, with New Zealand-born Australia A representative Ollie Sapsford instead joining Corey Toole and Tom Wright in the back three.
Sapsford and Muirhead have traded places in the 23, with the Brumbies centurion set to start a Super Rugby Pacific on the wing for the first time since June 14 last year. Muirhead featured in the run-on side at fullback in eight consecutive appearances last season before shifting to the bench.
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Brumbies enforcer Rory Scott comes back into the starting side as well, with openside flanker Luke Reimer moving to the reserves. Scott joins two-time John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini and Tuaina Taii Tualima in the loose forwards.
Following last weekend’s shock defeat to the Drua at GIO Stadium, Larkham has selected James Slipper at loosehead prop. Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa round out an all-Wallabies front row, with Blake Schoupp among those providing cover.
Nick Frost and Lachlan Shaw round out the tight five as the two first-choice locks, while former Australia U20 captain Toby Macpherson has been picked in the reserves. Including Macpherson, the Brumbies have gone with a 5-3 split on the bench.
Ryan Lonergan will captain the side from halfback, linking up with in-form playmaker Declan Meredith in the halves, while Wallaby Tane Edmed again has been named in the reserves. David Feliuai and Kadin Pritchard make up the centre pairing.
This weekend’s Super Round fixture will be played at the all-new One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, with the Brumbies looking to complete a season sweep against teams from the other side of the ditch.
ACT Brumbies to take on Hurricanes
1. James Slipper
2. Billy Pollard
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Nick Frost
5. Lachlan Shaw
6. Rob Valetini
7. Rory Scott
8. Tuaina Taii Tualima
9. Ryan Lonergan (C)
10. Declan Meredith
11. Corey Toole
12. David Feliuai
13. Kadin Pritchard
14. Andy Muirhead
15. Tom Wright
Reserves:
16. Lachlan Lonergan
17. Blake Schoupp
18. Darcy Breen
19. Toby Macpherson
20. Luke Reimer
21. Klayton Thorn
22. Tane Edmed
23. Ollie Sapsford
