McInerney set to start for Plus500 Brumbies in Waratahs showdown

Wed, Feb 24, 2021, 7:05 AM
Brumbies.rugby
by Brumbies.rugby
Connal McInerney will start at hooker against the Waratahs on Saturday night. Photo: Getty Images
Connal McInerney will start at hooker against the Waratahs on Saturday night. Photo: Getty Images

Canberra product Connal McInerney is set to start for the Plus500 Brumbies when they take on the NSW Waratahs in Round Two of Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.

The fixture between the arch rivals will be the first time the Canberra faithful have the chance to watch their side at home this season with restrictions lifted to allow for a full capacity crowd. 

McInerney is the only change to the starting XV that defeated the Western Force in their opening fixture in Perth last weekend.  

The Erindale College graduate and member of the Royals 2020 grand final winning team will pack down in the front row alongside Wallabies props James Slipper and skipper Allan Alaalatoa.

Fresh from a dominant performance in the West, Cadeyrn Neville will again lead the lineout, partnering up-and-coming lock Darcy Swain in the second row.

The bruising Rob Valetini will join the busy Jahrome Brown and dynamic Pete Samu as the loose forward trio. 

Wallabies Nic White and Noah Lolesio will again steer the side from the halves with Len Ikitau and Irae Simone to combine in the midfield. 

Fellow local product Mack Hansen will line up on the left wing with Andy Muirhead on the right and Tom Banks in the number 15 jersey. 

Former Junior Wallaby Lachlan Lonergan will see his first minutes of 2021 as reserve hooker, alongside Tom Ross and Harry Lloyd as the front row replacements. 

Tall-timber Nick Frost and vice-captain Tom Cusack will again be asked to provide impact from the pine, covering the second and back row. 

Ryan Lonergan will make it a family affair as the replacement scrumhalf with young gun Reesjan Pasitoa and number nine, come winger, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa finalising the game day squad.

Plus500 Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "Connal gets his first start and Lachlan Lonergan was an unlucky omission form Round One so it's really pleasing for him after an excellent pre-season."

"Connal's always very consistent and you know you're going to get good set piece, repeat efforts and physicality and he's very comfortable now at this level.

"Brumbies versus the Waratahs is always a game that's attracted a big crowd so hopefully the local rugby community gets behind it and others who might not normally go to a rugby game have an opportunity to see some really good rugby in what will be good conditions."

PLUS500 BRUMBIES ROUND TWO TEAM

1. James Slipper

2. Connal McInerney

3. Allan Alaalatoa (c)

4. Darcy Swain

5. Cadeyrn Neville

6. Rob Valetini

7. Jahrome Brown

8. Pete Samu

9. Nic White

10. Noah Lolesio

11. Mack Hansen

12. Irae Simone

13. Len Ikitau

14. Andy Muirhead

15. Tom Banks

REPLACEMENTS

16. Lachlan Lonergan

17. Harry Lloyd

18. Tom Ross

19. Nick Frost

20. Tom Cusack

21. Ryan Lonergan

22. Reesjan Pasitoa

23. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa  

 

The Plus500 Brumbies will play the NSW Waratahs in Round Two of Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU at GIO Stadium in Canberra next Saturday night at 7:45pm AEDT. LIVE and AD FREE on the new Home of Rugby, Stan Sport and free to air on 9Gem. Buy tickets here.

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