Earlier in the week I opined that victory this Saturday against the Melbourne Rebels was essential to keep the very good work of the season going.
Today the Brumbies have named the side to face up to destiny. And there are some changes.
Rookie Fotu Auelua (pron: Oh-ah-loo-ah) is going to 8 and pushing Ben Mowen to flanker while Michael Hooper comes back into the side at openside flanker. (Neatly solving the problems were were discussing Monday night, if Auelua is the business).
The endlessly impressive Scott Fardy has pushed Noodles Kimlin onto the bench.
Tevita Kuridrani is going to start at outside centre in place of Andrew Smith who was a bit quiet.
All in all, if the rookies can play which is a mystery to us all, it looks like a good side:
- University of Canberra Brumbies
1. Ruaidhri Murphy
2. Stephen Moore
3. Dan Palmer
4. Scott Fardy
5. Sam Carter
6. Ben Mowen
7. Michael Hooper
8. Fotu Auelua
9. Nic White
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Henry Speight
12. Pat McCabe
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Joe Tomane
15. Jesse Mogg
Replacements
16. Anthony Hegarty
17. Ben Alexander
18. Peter Kimlin
19. Ita Vaea
20. Ian Prior
21. Robbie Coleman
22. Andrew Smith