Lealiifano starts at pivot
Christian Lealiifano (21) will step into very big boots when he puts on the Brumbies number ten jersey for the first time in the Super 14 opener against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.
Christian Lealiifano (21) will step into very big boots when he puts on the Brumbies number ten jersey for the first time in the Super 14 opener against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.
It could be a baptism of fire for Lealiifano, who will team up with Josh Holmes in what is a new look Brumbies halfback pairing for the Super 14, but he is confident that he will do well against All Black flyhalf Dan Carter.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” Lealiifano said.
“The Crusaders are a quality side and this is a great chance for me to test myself against some of the best players in the world, especially someone like Dan Carter,” added Lealiifano.
“It's been fantastic training alongside and learning off guys like Hux [Julian Huxley] and Bernie [Stephen Larkham], which is the best preparation a flyhalf could have for playing Super 14,” added Lealiifano.
Lealiifano is not at all nervous about controlling what is still a star-studded Brumbies backline and is certainly looking forward to playing with Holmes once again.
“I played Under-19s and Under-21s with Josh and it's great to play outside him again, and guys like Hux, Gene [Fairbanks] and Coopy [Adam Ashley-Cooper] have been fantastic and I feel very comfortable as part of this backline,” added Lealiifano.
The player that was initially expected to start at flyhalf this weekend Julian Huxley will effectively start at fullback, where he played most of his rugby last year, while utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper will start at outside centre in place of injured captain Stirling Mortlock.
Mark Gerrard, who has recently expressed his desire to play at fullback will start on the right wing, with Peter Playford starting on the left, in the absence of Clyde Rathbone.
Brumbies: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 Peter Playford, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joshua Holmes, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 George Smith, 6 Jone Tawake, 5 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Huia Edmonds, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Salesi Ma'afu, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Julian Salvi, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Tyrone Smith, 22 Francis Fainifo.
Date: Friday, 15 February
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: Phillip Bosch (South Africa), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Television match official: Kane McBride (New Zealand)
Assessor: Alan Riley (New Zealand)
Performance auditor: Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)