0
Article Published: Monday 25 January 2010
Edited by: Rugbyweek.com.
http://www.worldcupweb.com/rugby/new...e.asp?id=23986
The Brumbies have named a 24-man squad to the contest their opening, pre-season match against the Hurricanes at New Zealand's Porirua Park on Friday.
Christian Lealiifano has been handed the flyhalf's jersey for the Brumbies' first hit-out of the year while Matt Toomua will start the, match at fullback.
The match will be Toomua's first since breaking his jaw against Cardiff in November on the Wallabies' Spring Tour.
Friday's match will also see Justin Harrison return to Brumbies, colours for the first time since their Super 12 semi-final loss to the Blues in 2003.
Harrison, who joins Ben Hand at lock, will pack down behind the front, row of Guy Shepherdson, Huia Edmonds and Salesi Ma'afu, who shifts to loosehead prop from his more familiar tighthead role.
Stephen Hoiles will resume his role as captain at No.8 with Wallaby tourist Mitch Chapman and Henry Vanderglas completing the back row.
New recruit Josh Valentine will start at scrumhalf having already represented the Brumbies in three matches during last year's French, Tour.
Centres Tyrone Smith and Stirling Mortlock will reunite in the Brumbies' midfield with Alfi Mafi and Francis Fainifo named on the, wings.
Head Coach Andy Friend says he's excited about watching the Brumbies put the labours of the pre-season into practice.
"By this stage of the pre-season all the players are champing at the bit to play footy and this year is no different," he said.
"The guys have, worked very hard over the past three months and we've laid a signifint, foundation towards the way we want to play this season.
"But nothing beats testing yourself under pressure and under game, conditions and we want to start testing our systems in live situations.
"The players realise that our entire pre-season is a trial for our first (Super Rugby) game against the Western Force and our two pre-season matches are a, key part of that selection process."
The Brumbies have included four members of the Brumbies Ademy on, the bench with hooker Anthony Hegarty outside back Jesse Mogg and, flankers Colby Faingaa and Michael Hooper all earning selection.
The remainder of the Brumbies reserves list includes John Ulugia, Sitaleki Timani, Patrick Phibbs, Afusipa Taumoepeau and rookie Andrew Smith.
The Brumbies play their final pre-season match against the Waratahs at Viking Park on Thursday, 4 February.
Trial Match detail : Porirua Park, Porirua,Friday, 29 January 2010,Kick-off: 5.30pm lol time (3.30pm AEDST)
Brumbies Team
1. Salesi Ma'afu, 2. Huia Edmonds , 3. Guy Shepherdson, 4. Justin Harrison, 5. Ben Hand , 6. Mitchell Chapman , 7. Henry Vanderglas, 8. Stephen Hoiles (c) , 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Francis Fainifo, 12. Tyrone Smith , 13. Stirling Mortlock , 14. Alfi Mafi, 15. Matt Toomua
Reserves:16. Anthony Hegarty, 17. John Ulugia,18. Sitaleki Timani, 19. Michael Hooper, 20. Colby Faingaa, 21. Patrick Phibbs , 22. Afusipa Taumoepeau , 23. Andrew Smith, 24. Jesse Mogg
Reply With Quote
