Brumbies name trial squad

January 16, 2007

AN ACT Brumbies squad light on top level experience will play the New South Wales Waratahs in a trial game at WIN Stadium on Saturday.

Coach Laurie Fisher named a green 28-man squad today with the majority of the Brumbies' senior players rested.

Just three of the fourteen capped Wallabies will play – prop Nic Henderson, lock Alister Campbell and outside back Adam Ashley-Cooper, with 11 members of the Brumbies Academy named.

Gene Fairbanks returns to the Brumbies line-up after taking part in the recent Spring Tour while Julian Salvi has also been named in the squad after he was included in the Wallaby World Cup preparation camp in Canberra earlier this month.

Last year's Australian Schoolboys inside centre Rowan Kellam and Australia A Schoolboys lock Waqa Vulawalu have been named, as well as flanker Ed Brenac from the Australian Sevens squad.

"It's still early in the season and it was always our intention was always to rest as many players involved in the Spring Tour as possible," Fisher said.

"At the same time its an excellent opportunity to give a number of Academy players, who've been training hard throughout the summer, some game time at a higher level. "We won't be getting too caught up in the result. What we will be focusing on are our core skills, our technique and communication, our fitness and conditioning levels and that our set piece is sound."

AAP

Forwards: N Henderson, J Ulugia, S Maafu, J Kennedy, D Palavi, S Faingaa, A Campbell, P Kimlin, J Barry, W Vulawalu, R Stanford, A Mika, J Salvi, E Brenac, J Tawake.

Backs: L Burgess, P Phibbs, C Lealiifano, L Gray, F Fainifo, S Fainifo, J Lagaali, R Kellam, G Fairbanks, M Carraro, A Ashley-Cooper, T Wright, B Johnson.