The Brumbies have named their side for Sunday’s blockbuster final against the tournament entertainers the Cheetahs at Canberra Stadium:
Seasoned campaigners George Smith and Clyde Rathbone make a return to the University of Canberra Brumbies starting XV this Sunday in the side’s first finals appearance in nine years.
Both players returned to the Brumbies for an unlikely finals appearance in 2013, Rathbone from retirement and Smith from Japan.
Having won a combined three Super Rugby titles between them, Rathbone and Smith add big game know-how to a young Brumbies team with only two other players, Ben Mowen and Ian Prior, having experienced play-off rugby with other clubs.
With Rathbone starting, Tomane moves to the bench while Robbie Coleman drops out of the 22-man squad. Colby Faingaa also slides to the bench with Smith taking the starting No. 7 jersey.
Also returning to the starting side for the first time since injuring his shoulder against the Rebels is Nic White, with Ian Prior returning to the bench and Mark Swanepoel out of the 22-man squad.
Here’s the full side:
- University of Canberra Brumbies
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Scott Fardy
5. Sam Carter
6. Peter Kimlin
7. George Smith
8. Ben Mowen (c)
9. Nic White
10. Matt Toomua
11. Clyde Rathbone
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Jesse Mogg
Replacements
16. Siliva Siliva
17. Ruan Smith
18. Fotu Auelua
19. Colby Faingaa
20. Ian Prior
21. Andrew Smith
22. Joe Tomane
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