Brumbies lock Darcy Swain has been named to skipper the Brumbies Runners side that will face the NSW Waratahs A at 4pm on Friday at Waratahs HQ in Daceyville.
The Runners have made several changes to the side which beat the Melbourne Rising two weeks ago, with exciting young prospect Billy Pollard set to get his first start at hooker.
He's joined in the front row by former Waratahs prop Shambeckler Vui who will see his first minutes in Brumbies colours with Bo Abra to hold up the other side of the scrum at loosehead.
Queenslander Ryan Smith will get an opportunity to impress at lock after training with the club for the past fortnight, while Tom Hooper makes the switch to flanker after playing at lock against the Rebels.
He will be joined by Vikings' Luke Gersekowski who will wear the number 7 jersey. Rory Scott earns a start at Number 8 after being a standout as a finisher last time out.
Isaak Fines and Reesjan Pasitoa retain their places in the halves after impressing against the Rebels, Pasitoa having made his Super Rugby bow last Saturday.
Dennis Waight is set to start on the left wing and will be joined by Tom Haddad on the right, both being part of the Junior Wallabies training group this year.
Issac Henry and Guy Porter are set to occupy the centres, with Mack Hansen retaining the number 15 jumper.
Davea Teoteo will have a chance to make his mark as the rake replacement, his Queanbeyan teammate Fred Kaihea and Viking’s Jake Simeon providing cover at prop.
There’s certainly no shortage of height in the Brumbies finishers; Zane Marolt, Callum MacDonald and Zeph Tuinona all able to play in the second row, though Tuinona will likely see time at flanker.
Lachie Albert had a stellar stint off the pine last time out for the Brumbies, the young halfback showcasing his eye for the try-line.
Corey Toole and Luke Rixon round out the selection, a youthful looking side hoping to turnover a quality Waratahs outfit in Sydney.
The match will be streamed live on brumbies.rugby from 4:00pm this Friday.
BRUMBIES RUNNERS TEAM TO PLAY WARATAHS A
1. Bo Abra (Tuggeranong Vikings)
2. Billy Pollard (TBC)
3. Shambeckler Vui (Easts)
4. Darcy Swain (c) (Tuggeranong Vikings)
5. Ryan Smith (TBC)
6. Tom Hooper (Tuggeranong Vikings)
7. Luke Gersekowski (Tuggeranong Vikings)
8. Rory Scott (Royals)
9. Issak Fines (Gungahlin Eagles)
10. Reesjan Pasitoa (Wests)
11. Dennis Waight (Uni-Norths Owls)
12. Issac Henry (Tuggeranong Vikings)
13. Guy Porter (Queanbeyan Whites)
14. Tom Haddad (Gungahlin Eagles)
15. Mack Hansen (Gungahlin Eagles)
Replacements
16. Davea Teoteo (Queanbeyan Whites)
17. Fred Kaihea (Queanbeyan Whites)
18. Jake Simeon (Tuggeranong Vikings)
19. Zane Marolt (Queanbeyan Whites)
20. Callum MacDonald (Gungahlin Eagles)
21. Zeph Tuinona (Queanbeyan Whites)
22. Lachie Albert (Wests)
23. Corey Toole (Gungahlin Eagles)
24. Luke Rixon (Uni-Norths Owls)
