Brumbies make back-row changes for Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against Chiefs
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has named a strong matchday squad for their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.
After securing a narrow victory against the Hurricanes in their quarter-final last week, Larkham has kept changes to a minimum.
He has tweaked his back-row with Tom Hooper coming in on the blindside flank with Rob Valetini shifting to number eight, while Pete Samu – who wore the number eight jersey against the Hurricanes – moves to the openside flank where he takes over from Jahrome Brown, who drops out of the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, it will be a momentous occasion for Brumbies academy products Len Ikitau, Connal McInerney and Noah Lolesio, who will bring up 50 games for the Caberra-based club in the final-four clash.
Hooker Connal McInerney and fly-half Lolesio will be part of the Brumbies’ replacements bench, while Ikitau starts at outside centre alongside Tamati Tua, who will be on his inside in an exciting midfield pairing.
Familiar look to the backline
Jack Debreczeni continues at fly-half and while experienced scrum-half Nic White will captain the side. The rest of the backline consists of Tom Wright, who continues at full-back, alongside speedsters Andy Muirhead and Ollie Sapsford.
In the forwards, James Slipper and Sefo Kautai are the starting props alongside the hooker Lachlan Lonergan in a strong front-row with Nick Frost and Cadeyrn Neville packing down in the second-row.
McInerney, Blake Schoupp and Rhys Van Nek are the front-row replacements, with Darcy Swain and Luke Reimer the back-up lock and loose forward respectively.
Lolesio will join Ryan Lonergan as the finishing half-backs, with Toole wearing jersey 23 as the other replacement back.
Larkham is quietly confident ahead of what should be a tough encounter against the Chiefs, who finished the league phase of Super Rugby Pacific at the top of the table.
“We’ve backed our continuity and combinations this week and we’re going across to New Zealand full of energy and excitement for this challenge,” he said.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Tamati Tua, 11 Ollie Sapsford, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic White (c), 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Sefo Kautai, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Rhys Van Nek, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Corey Toole
Date: Saturday, June 17
Venue: FMG Stadium
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: TBC
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