Lolesio sidelined as Brumbies name replacement for crucial Reds derby

Fly-half Declan Meredith returns to the ACT Brumbies’ starting side for the first time since the 21-20 win over the Blues in round four, with coach Stephen Larkham making two changes to the First XV that beat the Western Force in Perth last weekend.

After the devastating injury to Wallaby Noah Lolesio, Meredith will step up as the Brumbies’ chief playmaker in a high-stakes Australian derby against the fourth-placed Queensland Reds at Canberra’s GIO Stadium.

With the Brumbies currently sitting in second, a win over the Reds will go a long way to securing a top-two finish by the end of the regular season. Of course, the Brumbies have one more match to play in the regular season after this clash, which is at home against the Crusaders.

Hooker Billy Pollard also returns to the run-on side as the second change. It’s an otherwise settled side which features the likes of James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright.

“It’s going to be the two best teams in Australia currently going at it on Saturday. All the remaining games for every team are important, as there is still some jostling for a top six position to be done,” coach Larkham said in a statement.

“The Reds are sitting comfortably in that top six and like us, would like to finish as high as possible on the ladder. It gives you the best opportunity to go deep into the finals.

“The Reds have been playing some good rugby this year. They’ve been competitive in every single game and have threats right across the park.”

Highly experienced prop Slipper will pack down alongside Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row, while Nick Frost and Lachlan Shaw round out the tight five as the two locks. Valetini joins Rory Scott and in-form Tom Hooper in the loose forwards.

In the backs, Lonergan will partner Meredith in the halves, who will look to provide quality ball to the dangerous midfield duo of Davd Feliuai and Ikitau. Yet again, the outside backs pick themselves, with Corey Toole, Andy Muirhead and Wright named to start.

“I thought Declan played exceptionally well when he came on against the Force, like he has done for every game in Brumbies colours since he’s been here,” Larkham explained.

“He’s had a few opportunities this season, at home against the Force and two games in New Zealand and has been outstanding in all of those. It should put him in a good position for this weekend.

“Noah’s had some CT scans and we’ve been able to clear any serious damage for him. We are taking it day by day at the moment. He is making a good recovery, we hope he will be running by the end of this week and don’t envision him being out for too long.”

This match at Canberra’s GIO Stadum will kick off at 7:35 pm AEST on Saturday, following the Wallaroos vs USA in the Pacific Four Series.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

33

23

First try wins

0%

Home team wins

20%

ACT Brumbies to take on Queensland Reds

1. James Slipper
2. Billy Pollard*
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Nick Frost
5. Lachlan Shaw
6. Rob Valetini
7. Rory Scott
8. Tom Hooper
9. Ryan Lonergan
10. Declan Meredith*
11. Corey Toole
12. David Feliuai
13. Len Ikitau
14. Andy Muirhead
15. Tom Wright

Replacements 

16. Lachlan Lonergan

17. Lington Ieli

18. Rhys van Nek

19. Cadeyrn Neville

20. Tuaina Taii Tualima

21. Harrison Goddard

22. Hudson Creighton

23. Ollie Sapsford