James Slipper will bring up 150 Super Rugby games in Saturday night’s Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific round eight clash against the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
The 32-year-old Wallaby centurion prop played 104 times for the Queensland Reds from 2010 to 2018 before debuting for the Brumbies in round one of 2019, Slipper now closing in on 50 appearances in ACT colours.
Slipper will form the Brumbies front row with Sefo Kautai at tighthead prop and Billy Pollard at hooker, Pollard earning his first start at Super Rugby level after some quality appearances in the finishers.
Tom Hooper comes into the starting group at lock alongside Darcy Swain, Hooper having impressed with his maiden start against the Rebels in round four.
The backrow rotates for the Drua clash with Rob Valetini shifting to number eight, allowing Ed Kennedy to earn his first start for the Brumbies with openside Luke Reimer also promoted to the starting group.
Nic White will captain the side from halfback, Rod Iona his halves partner with Noah Lolesio likely to be fit for Super Round in Melbourne after the bye.
Irae Simone and Len Ikitau continue their partnership in the centres with Andy Muirhead and Cam Clark starting on the wings, Clark running on in Brumbies colours for the first time after scoring a try on-debut last time out.
Tom Wright takes on the fullback duties after deputising in the role for the majority of round seven against the Reds.
Connal McInerney rotates to the finishing group at hooker, with Brumbies centurion Scott Sio and Tom Ross the prop replacements.
Nick Frost will bring plenty of impact at lock with ACT local Rory Scott having the ability to come on across the backrow.
Ryan Lonergan will have an important role to play as the finishing halfback, with Hudson Creighton and Ollie Sapsford completing the Brumbies matchday selection.
Brumbies head coach, Dan McKellar said: "It's an exciting week for us for a number of reasons with guys earning their first start for the club but of course, to celebrate Slips' 150th.
"His contribution to this club speaks for itself and we know he'll go out and do a job for his team as always on Saturday night.
"We were disappointed with our accuracy last week and we know we will have to be much better against the Drua this Saturday."
1. James Slipper
2. Billy Pollard
3. Sefo Kautai
4. Darcy Swain
5. Tom Hooper
6. Ed Kennedy
7. Luke Reimer
8. Rob Valetini
9. Nic White (C)
10. Rod Iona
11. Andy Muirhead
12. Irae Simone
13. Len Ikitau
14. Cam Clark
15. Tom Wright
REPLACEMENTS
16. Connal McInerney
17. Scott Sio
18. Tom Ross
19. Nick Frost
20. Rory Scott
21. Ryan Lonergan
22. Hudson Creighton
23. Ollie Sapsford
The Brumbies will take on the Fijian Drua in round eight of Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday April 9 at 7.45pm AEDT,live on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.
