Pocock and Pulu missing for Brumbies in round two

Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar has made three changes to the team that was narrowly beaten by the Rebels in their Super Rugby opener last weekend with Tom Cusack, Andy Muirhead and Chance Peni promoted to the starting XV.

Cusack and Peni are included at the expense of David Pocock and Toni Pulu, both of whom suffered injuries during the first-half of the Rebels match, that ruled them out of selection, whilst Muirhead starts ahead of Henry Speight, who hobbled off in the second half.

Other than that, McKellar has shown his trust in the team that pushed the Rebels to the limit and, given better execution of the myriad opportunities they created, especially in the opening stanza, will be confident that they can gain a first win of the season.

James Slipper, who enjoyed an excellent debut in Brumbies colours last week, continues in a front row that provided two of the team’s try-scorers in Round 1, both Folau Fainga’a and Allan Alaalatoa finding their way across the whitewash.

Indeed, all four of the Brumbies tries were claimed by the pack with the lock forward pairing of Rory Arnold and Sam Carter, who continue against the Chiefs, giving the tight five a monopoly of the five-pointers.

Cusack slots into Openside flanker role with Rob Valetini and Lachlan McCaffrey completing a strong, mobile and dynamic back-row trio that are sure to be at the heart of any Brumbies success.

Joe Powell and Christian Lealiifano continue at half-back, directing the side around the park, Lealiifano passing 850 career Super Rugby points against the Rebels, with Irae Simone and Tevita Kuridrani tasked with finding any holes in the Chiefs midfield.

Muirhead, Peni and Tom Banks round out the starting XV with all three possessing excellent pace and finishing ability.

The finishers are the same as was selected for the Rebels match except for exciting young talent Tom Wright who is drafted into the squad for a potential debut, as Muirhead starts. This means that Josh Mann-Rea will become the equal oldest Australian to play Super Rugby when he comes on.

BRUMBIES

1. James Slipper
2. Folau Fainga’a
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Rory Arnold
5. Sam Carter
6. Rob Valetini
7. Tom Cusack
8. Lachlan McCaffrey
9. Joe Powell
10. Christian Lealiifano (c)
11. Andy Muirhead
12. Irae Simone
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Chance Peni
15. Tom Banks

    Reserves

16. Josh Mann-Rea
17. Scott Sio
18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin
19. Blake Enever
20. Peter Samu
21. Matt Lucas
22. Wharenui Hawera
23. Tom Wright

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