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Brumbies back to full compliment against Waratahs

James Slipper warms up with the Brumbies. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images

After being rested in line with Rugby Australia’s Rugby World Cup policy, James Slipper, Rob Valetini, Pete Samu, Nic White, and Tom Wright return to the Brumbies’ starting lineup, with Len Ikitau also fit to start at outside centre.

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Slipper will form the front row with Lachlan Lonergan and captain Allan Alaalatoa, with Nick Frost back in the run-on side alongside Cadeyrn Neville in the second row.

Rory Scott will wear the seven jersey with Valetini and Samu back in the back row.

White will partner Noah Lolesio in the halves, with the impressive Tamati Tua starting at inside centre to combine with Ikitau in the midfield.

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The back-three of Corey Toole, Andy Muirhead and Wright is restored, Toole having made a remarkable start to his Super Rugby career on the left wing.

In the finishers, Rhys Van Nek will cover hooker with Fred Kaihea and Sefo Kautai coming on at prop.

Warringah Rats lock Sam Thomson is in line for his Super Rugby debut from the bench, the Scottish second rower having played professionally for Edinburgh in the URC, and both Toshiba Brave Lupus and Kintetsu Liners in Japan’s Top League.

Jahrome Brown will bring plenty of energy in the back row to finish the game.

Ryan Lonergan and Jack Debreczeni will have important roles to play as the finishing halves, with Ben O’Donnell completing the Brumbies’ matchday selection.

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Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies head coach, Stephen Larkham said: “We’re fortunate to be able to bring back a lot of experience for what is likely to be a game played at test-match intensity.”

“They’ve talked about being underdogs, but the Waratahs have a great squad and they’ll come down here under pressure to get a result so we’ll be aware of that.

“We’re expecting our biggest crowd in five years for this game so there’s been a great energy around HQ this week and we’re just excited to get to gameday.”

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Brumbies team to play the Waratahs:

1. James Slipper

2. Lachlan Lonergan

3. Allan Alaalatoa

4. Nick Frost

5. Cadeyrn Neville

6. Rob Valetini

7. Rory Scott

8. Pete Samu

9. Nic White

10. Noah Lolesio

11. Corey Toole

12. Tamati Tua

13. Len Ikitau

14. Andy Muirhead

15. Tom Wright

 

Replacements:

16. Rhys Van Nek

17. Fred Kaihea

18. Sefo Kautai

19. Sam Thomson

20. Jahrome Brown

21. Ryan Lonergan

22. Jack Debreczeni

23. Ben O’Donnell

Via Press Release/Brumbies

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SK 19 minutes ago
Brumbies backed to rebound despite more semi-final heartbreak

“Look, they’ve lost some good players. Len Ikitau’s had an excellent season. Tom Hooper’s been magnificent all year. So there are a couple of big players that they are losing.

“Noah Lolesio obviously has been guiding the team around for years, and he’s another one, but they’ve been able to give guys really good game time this year.

The loss of star players is a real problem. The Brumbies will have to cover those losses next season and while there is some real promising players to come through the ranks the problem is these guys are experienced and have real quality which will be difficult to replace. The Brumbies will struggle to build if they cant retain their stars. As much as I would love to say that the Brumbies can take the next step up I have some doubts. For my mind if Australian rugby is to emerge with a Super Rugby winner they need to heavily resource one team as Ireland do with Leinster. They need to load 14 or 15 internationals into a side and give them money to bring in some talented overseas stars as well. Australian Rugby needs a Super Rugby winner. It cannot keep going through this cycle of subpar Super Rugby performances in which they get 2 playoff teams and 1 semi finalist every season while never taking the next step. It needs to host a Super Rugby final again. It needs to rebuild interest in the game at home and compete with the other codes and it can only do that with wins. We thought the Aussie teams could break the mould this season and release the grip of NZ on the Super Rugby title. It was promising for a while but in the end the result was the same.

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