Brumbies name full strength team to play trial against Reds
The Brumbies have named 12 players with international experience for tomorrow night’s trial match against the Queensland Reds at Ballymore.
Brumbies co-captains Stephen Moore and Christian Lealiifano will both start against the Reds after being rested from last week’s trial against the NSW Waratahs in Wagga Wagga. Matt Toomua, who captained the Brumbies in the Wagga trial, will shift back to inside centre with Lealiifano starting at flyhalf.
Scott Fardy and David Pocock will start as flankers, with Ita Vaea retaining his spot at the back of the scrum. Henry Speight, fresh from his Sydney Sevens campaign, will start on one wing while Joe Tomane and Tevita Kuridrani are also in the starting backline.
Sam Carter, Tomás Cubelli, Rory Arnold and Aidan Toua retain their spots in the starting side, along with try-scorer Allan Alaalatoa.
Alaalatoa has been named to start at loosehead prop while Wallabies representative Scott Sio, who has been recovering from knee and elbow injuries suffered during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, will start from the bench.
Among the other reserves pushing their claims for a spot in the Brumbies match day 23 will be Nick Jooste, Andrew Smith, Michael Dowsett, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin and Nigel Ah Wong who all impressed in the Wagga trial.
Jordan Smiler, Blake Enever, Jarrad Butler, Tom Staniforth and Robbie Abel will also start from the bench against a near full-strength Reds side that was named earlier this week.
The Brumbies take on the Reds at Ballymore Stadium this Friday, 12 February, at 7:30pm.
Brumbies team to play trial against Reds
Allan Alaalatoa, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, David Pocock, Ita Vaea, Tomás Cubelli, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Aidan Toua. Reserves: Robbie Abel, Scott Sio, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Blake Enever, Jarrad Butler, Michael Dowsett, Nick Jooste, Andrew Smith, Tom Staniforth, Jordan Smiler, Nigel Ah Wong.