The Plus500 Brumbies will take on the Melbourne Rebels in their opening trial match of the campaign with the fixture set for Saturday 3 February at Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan.
The fixture, along with the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens and the clash with the Chiefs on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday 14 February loom large as key opportunities for Dan McKellar to fine tune his team in preparation for the upcoming Super Rugby season.
The Rebels match will the first chance for Brumbies fan to get a glimpse of some the new recruits for 2018, as well as the returning members of last year’s squad ahead of the season opener away to the Sunwolves on 24 February.
New signings such as Isi Naisarani, Chance Peni and Richie Arnold are set to make their first appearances in a Brumbies jersey, while promoted young talents Darcy Swain, Mack Hansen and Rob Valetini may also get their first test at senior level in a game that should prove to be an entertaining clash.
The visitors from Melbourne will also have many new additions on display, with the Rebels overhauling a squad which struggled in 2017.
Wallabies Adam Coleman, Dane Haylett-Petty and Will Genia, who all joined the team under the tutelage of Dave Wessels, could be set for some game time.
One of the high points for the Rebels last season was a valiant win against the Brumbies in Melbourne, a game they sneaked home 19-17 before the brumbies gained revenge, and wrapped up the Australian Conference title, with a 32-3 triumph in the return.
Despite the friendly nature of the fixture, neither side will want to give the other any bragging rights heading into 2018 and, with that in mind, spectators can expect a lively encounter full of running and attacking rugby.
As a warm-up to the match, the Brumbies Meet the Player’s Day event will be held at Brumbies HQ, University of Canberra, the same day as the trial, with a bunch of fun activities available for all the family.
Trial Match Saturday 3 February Plus500 Brumbies vs Melbourne Rebels (Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan)
Tickets available from: www.brumbies.eventbrite.com.au
MATCHDAY SQUAD
Robbie ABEL
Allan ALAALATOA
Ben ALEXANDER
Angus ALLEN
Richie ARNOLD
Rory ARNOLD
Tom BANKS
Sam CARTER
Tom CUSACK
Blake ENEVER
James DARGAVILLE
Lolo FAKAOSILEA
Kyle GODWIN
Mack HANSEN
Wharenui HAWERA
Len IKITAU
Jordan JACKSON-HOPE
Leslie LEULUA’IALI’I-MAKIN
Harry LLOYD
Ryan LONERGAN
Matt LUCAS
Lachlan MCCAFFREY
Cornel MCINERNEY
Andrew MUIRHEAD
Isi NAISARANI
Joe POWELL
Faalelei SIONE
Andrew SMITH
Henry SPEIGHT
Darcy SWAIN
Lausii TALIAULI
Rob VALETINI
James VERITY-AMM
