Sio, Enever start for Brumbies

Editor

Scott Sio returns to the starting side and Blake Enever will make his first appearance of 2016 when the Brumbies take on the Waratahs at GIO Stadium on Friday.

Enever replaces Rory Arnold at lock in the starting side. Arnold picked up a knock to his knee in the 52-10 win over the Hurricanes in Canberra last Friday.

24-year old Enever, from the Sunshine Coast, had a breakout first season with the Brumbies in 2015, making 11 appearances and scoring his maiden Super Rugby try.

Sio, who today has signed a new three-year deal to stay with the Brumbies, returns to the starting side after coming from the bench last week. He is a straight swap for close friend Allan Alaalatoa, who also recommitted to the Brumbies until at least 2019 this week.

Sio, who has made 51 appearances for the Brumbies and 16 Test appearances for the Wallabies, is currently regarded as one of Australia’s best forwards and will be hoping to make the most of his first start of the season.

Head coach Stephen Larkham has made no other changes to the Brumbies side that crossed for seven tries against the Hurricanes last week.

Starting on the reserves list is Jarrad Butler, who could rack up his 50th Super Rugby cap in the match against the Waratahs.

Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano (c), 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Blake Enever, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 
Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Nigel Ah Wong

Date: Friday, March 4
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19:45 local (08:45 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Quinton Immelman, William Houston
TMO: Ian Smith