The Brumbies and Reds have made multiple changes to their starting lineups for Saturday’s Super Rugby AU final in Canberra.
The Brumbies have made four changes to their starting side from the one that went down to the Reds in the final round of the regular season a fortnight ago.
There are two changes to the pack, with Murray Douglas coming in for Darcy Swain in the second row and flank Lachie McCaffrey replacing with Rob Valetini in the loose trio.
In a brand-new halfback axis, Joe Powell takes over from Nic White at scrumhalf and first-time Wallabies squad member Noah Lolesio starts at flyhalf ahead of Bayley Kuenzle.
Lolesio hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring against the Waratahs on 18 July. White and Kuenzle will come off the bench for the Brumbies.
Meanwhile, the Reds have tweaked their side from the one that beat the Rebels 25-13 in the qualifier playoff last weekend.
Loosehead prop JP Smith comes in for Harry Hoopert, who will come off the bench.
The other change is in the backline with another first-time Wallabies squad member in Hunter Paisami coming in at outside centre.
Paisami’s return to the starting side has Jordan Petaia shifting to the right wing, with Chris Feauai-Sautia ruled out due to injury.
Ruan Smith comes on to the bench.
Brumbies – 15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Will Miller, 6 Lachie McCaffrey, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Murray Douglas, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 James Slipper, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Rob Valetini, 21 Nic White, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Solomone Kata.
Reds – 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 JP Smith.
Subs: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Tuaina Taii Taulima, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Jack Hardy.
Photo: Getty Images
