Wallabies fullback Tom Wright returns for Brumbies after injury setback

Tom Wright has been named to return for the ACT Brumbies in this weekend’s clash with the Fijian Drua at Canberra’s GIO Stadium, almost eight months after the Wallabies fullback suffered an ACL injury against the Springboks.

Wright had scored a try one week earlier in the remarkable comeback win against the Springboks in Johannesburg, but the Wallaby’s season was cut short at DHL Stadium, leaving that contest during the first half.

The 28-year-old has missed half of the Super Rugby Pacific season but has shot straight into the First XV for a round 10 match against the Drua. Wright has been picked at fullback, joining Paris Olympian Corey Toole and Australia A representative Ollie Sapsford in the outside backs.

Backrower Charlie Cale has been ruled out of the match with a shoulder injury, joining Rhys van Nek, Kye Oates and Dan Nelson on the sidelines. Oates will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining an injury while on Brumbies Runners duty.

Ryan Lonergan captains a familiar Brumbies side which includes Super Rugby appearance record holder James Slipper at loosehead. ‘Slips’ joins fellow Wallabies Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa in a strong front-row trio.

Nick Frost and Lachlan Shaw round out the tight five as the two locks, while Rob Valetini and Luke Reimer have been chosen to start on the flanks. In the absence of Cale, Tuaina Taii Tualima has been named at No. 8.

Lonergan partners in-form fly-half Declan Meredith in the halves, with David Feliuai and Kadin Pritchard making up the midfield pairing  Toole, Sapsford and Wright complete the First XV, with Andy Muirhead among those named on the bench.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Brumbies

28 - 33

Full-time

Fijian Drua

All Stats and Data

ACT Brumbies to take on Fijian Drua

1. James Slipper
2. Billy Pollard
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Nick Frost
5. Lachlan Shaw
6. Rob Valetini
7. Luke Reimer
8. Tuaina Taii Tualima
9. Ryan Lonergan (c)
10. Declan Meredith
11. Corey Toole
12. David Feliuai
13. Kadin Pritchard
14. Ollie Sapsford
15. Tom Wright

Replacements

16. Lachlan Lonergan
17. Blake Schoupp
18. Darcy Breen
19. Toby MacPherson
20. Rory Scott
21. Klayton Thorn
22. Tane Edmed
23. Andy Muirhead