The Plus500 Brumbies have made two changes to the forward pack for what is expected to be a physical encounter against the Rebels this weekend at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Prop Scott Sio makes his return from injury to help ensure the basics of the set piece are done well, after the disappointment against the Queensland Reds in Round 3.
Brumbies Head Coach Dan McKellar noted that the performance in the set piece, starting with the scum, needed to be improved if the Brumbies were to claim the win.
“I just want him [Scott Sio] to do the basics really well there and obviously it starts with the scrum doesn’t it,” McKellar said.
“We were really disappointed with our scrummage against the Reds and it wasn’t at our standard and understand that we need to be better.”
After bolstering the front row with the returning Sio, McKellar has also added hooker Folau Fainga’a and prop Faalelei Sione to the bench following Robbie Abel’s injury.
“Robbie Abel has got a rib injury, but otherwise I had planned to give Folau [Fainga’a] an opportunity at some point in time over the next couple of weeks so that works in nicely there,” McKellar commented.
“Obviously it’s disappointing for Robbie but he shouldn’t be out too long and Faalelei [Sione] has trained well all pre-season. We have given guys opportunity and now other guys get a chance.”
There has been a switch in the flanker position as well with Lolo Fakaosilea replacing Tom Cusack to bring some more energy and physicality to the scrum and team.
“Lolo comes in, although Tom Cusack has played very well. Lolo has come in at seven there, he’s a bigger body, brings some energy and physicality. McKellar said.
“Tommy [Cusack] has played really well, as I have said a number of times I am prepared to rotate a player in for that particular opposition.”
Fakaosilea noted that the Rebels have a lot of depth and experience in their side but using his energy and physicality to shut down opportunities for the Rebels to run will hopefully allow the Brumbies to claim the victory.
“I think the strength in my game is energy and physicality if I just take it to them early enough. I just need to get up in their [Rebels] face and shut down opportunities for them to run.” Fakaosilea commented.
“Right now, they have a lot of depth and with Will Genia and Dane Haylett-Petty, they have a lot of experienced players, Wallabies players included. I guess if we just front up and just be physical and match them at their own game then hopefully we can get up but in terms of them, they have been going really well.”
You can catch the Plus500 Brumbies in action against the Rebels at AAMI Park in Melbourne this Friday live on Fox Sports.
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Words: Etta McEwan
