Tom Cusack will become the 18th captain of the Plus500 Brumbies when he leads the side out for the first time in Saturday night's Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU Grand Final replay against the Queensland Reds at GIO Stadium.
The born and bred Canberran backrower has been named skipper for the First Nations Round with regular leader Allan Alaalatoa unavailable for selection for the next three matches.
His absence sees another Brumbies pathways product, Tom Ross earn his first start for his boyhood club, wearing the number three jersey alongside Wallabies Folau Fainga'a and Scott Sio in the front row.
A settled lock combination of Darcy Swain and Cadeyrn Neville are again named in the second row with Cusack in the run-out side for the first time this season, joining Rob Valetini and Pete Samu in the loose forward trio.
Vice-captain Nic White and Noah Lolesio will continue to build on their halves pairing for a fourth straight week, as will Irae Simone and Len Ikitau in the midfield.
Wearing the First Nations jersey for just the third time in Brumbies history, proud Indigenous man Andy Muirhead will line up on the right wing with Mack Hansen on the left and Tom Banks at fullback.
Ross' inclusion in the starting side sees 2021 recruit Archer Holz in line for a potential Super Rugby debut off the pine, with ACT juniors Lachlan Lonergan and Harry Lloyd the other front row replacements.
Athletic young second rower Nick Frost has been named in the matchday 23 with backrower Jahrome Brown the other forward cover.
Last weekend's match winner Ryan Lonergan will again be called upon as the back-up number nine, alongside teenage playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa and the electric Issak Fines-Leleiwasa who round out the squad.
Plus500 Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "It's really special for Tommy and his family, a local Canberra family, I know they'll all be really proud of him on Saturday when he leads the team out."
"It's another good sign of our investment in local talent, if you're a young boy who wants to play for the Brumbies and one day you might be able to lead them out if you work hard and are resilience like Tommy Cusack has been for a number of years.
"Archer's a big body, he has a real thirst for scrummaging and natural physicality in his game and I'm really pleased for Archer and his family, he's worked hard and he's a chance to make his debut on Saturday evening."
PLUS500 BRUMBIES ROUND FOUR TEAM
1. Scott Sio
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Tom Ross
4. Darcy Swain
5. Cadeyrn Neville
6. Rob Valetini
7. Tom Cusack (c)
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. Archer Holz*
19. Nick Frost
20. Jahrome Brown
21. Ryan Lonergan
22. Reesjan Pasitoa
23. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
*denotes potential Super Rugby debut
The Plus500 Brumbies will play the Queensland Reds in Round Four of Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday night at 7:45pm AEDT. LIVE and AD FREE on the new Home of Rugby, Stan Sport and free to air on 9Gem. Tickets available here.
