Dan McKellar has made four changes to his starting side for the Brumbies’ Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific round four clash away to the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
21-year-old lock Tom Hooper will make his first start for the club having graduated through the Brumbies pathways program, with Brumbies centurion Scott Sio, ACT local Connal McInerney and Jesse Mogg also earning their first starts for 2022.
Captain Allan Alaalatoa completes the front row at tighthead prop with Nick Frost partnering Hooper in the second row.
The backrow of Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown and Pete Samu remains unchanged from the side’s 27-20 victory over the NSW Waratahs in round three.
Nic White and Noah Lolesio also continue their tandem in the halves, with Mogg’s inclusion on the left wing the only change to an in-form Brumbies backline.
Irae Simone and Len Ikitau are the familiar pairing in the centres, with Tom Wright on the right wing and Tom Banks at fullback completing the Brumbies starting selection.
Billy Pollard retains his spot as the finishing hooker, with James Slipper the loosehead prop impact. Sefo Kautai will make his first appearance in 2022 as the tighthead replacement.
Ed Kennedy will cover the second row once again while also having the ability to come on in the backrow, with Luke Reimer selected as the openside specialist after an impressive cameo last week.
Ryan Lonergan will finish at halfback, his tandem with White a real strength for the Brumbies.
Melbourne-born flyhalf Rod Iona is also set to play his first game for the Brumbies in 2022, the Samoan international having made his debut for the club in 2014.
Chris Feauai-Sautia completes the Brumbies matchday squad.
Brumbies head coach, Dan McKellar said: “We’re fortunate this week to freshen a few players and give others an opportunity but with our depth at the moment, we’re swapping quality with quality so we’re happy with the makeup of the squad heading to Melbourne.”
“Connal has been patient and deserves a crack and similar with Jesse Mogg and Scott Sio, they’ve been good off the bench, and it’ll be good to see them run out with the starters.
“As a club, we’re all excited to see Tom Hooper get his first start for the Brumbies and equally, having Rod Iona in the finishers is special for a popular member of the group.
“Winning those first three home games was pleasing but we’re still chasing an eighty-minute performance we can be proud of and we’ve put all the focus on us this week to go down to Melbourne and achieve that.”
1. Scott Sio
2. Connal McInerney
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c)
4. Tom Hooper
5. Nick Frost
6. Rob Valetini
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Pete Samu
9. Nic White
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Jesse Mogg
12. Irae Simone
13. Len Ikitau
14. Tom Wright
15. Tom Banks
16. Billy Pollard
17. James Slipper
18. Sefo Kautai
19. Ed Kennedy
20. Luke Reimer
21. Ryan Lonergan
22. Rod Iona
23. Chris Feauai-Sautia
The Brumbies will play the Melbourne Rebels in Round four of Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific on Friday 11 March at 7:45pm AEDT live on the home rugby, Stan Sport.
