The Plus500 Brumbies have named a strong side to take on Japanese Top League Champions Suntory Sungoliath in the Minato Rugby Festival this Sunday afternoon at the Prince Chichibunomiya Stadium in Tokyo.
Six Wallabies will spearhead the Brumbies team for the rugby challenge with prop Ben Alexander, lock Sam Carter, flanker Blake Enever, flyhalf Christian Lealiifano, centre Kyle Godwin and winger Henry Speight all selected for the contest.
Alexander will pack down in the front row alongside New Zealand-born prop Nic Mayhew and hooker Connal McInerney whilst Carter is partnered by Richie Arnold in the second row.
Enever, who started at Blindside flanker in the Super Rugby match against the Crusaders, will repeat the feat in Japan, with Tom Cusack and Isi Naisarani also included in a mobile and physical backrow.
In the backline, Matt Lucas will lead the charge from scrumhalf, with Lealiifano outside him whilst Godwin and Andrew Smith forming the centre-pairing.
Out wide, Lausii Taliauli and Henry Speight will patrol the flanks with Andrew Muirhead adding pace from fullback.
On the bench the Brumbies welcome Benjamin Edwards into the squad, the second-row cover anticipating a first run-out in the Brumbies jersey following spells in the United Kingdom with Hartpury College, Bristol Rugby and Cardiff Blues and, closer to home, New South Wales Country in the NRC.
The game against five-times Japanese Champions, who are likely to feature ex-Brumby and Australia star Matt Giteau in their team, is part of the annual Minato Rugby Festival with the Waratahs meeting NEC Green Rockets in the opening match which kicks-off at 11am.
TEAM
Nic MAYHEW
Connal MCINERNEY
Ben ALEXANDER
Richie ARNOLD
Sam CARTER
Blake ENEVER
Tom CUSACK
Isi NAISARANI
Matt LUCAS
Christian LEALIIFANO
Lausii TALIAULI
Kyle GODWIN
Andrew SMITH
Henry SPEIGHT
Andrew MUIRHEAD
REPLACEMENTS
Robbie ABEL
Faalelei SIONE
Leslie LEULUAIALII-MAKIN
Darcy SWAIN
Benjamin EDWARDS
Jordan JACKSON-HOPE
Wharenui HAWERA
James DARGAVILLE
James VERITY-AMM
MATCH DETAILS
Minato Rugby Festival
Sunday 17 June 2018
Suntory Sungoliath v Plus500 Brumbies
(Prince Chichibunomiya Stadium, Tokyo, 14:00)
