Brumbies unveil team for Crusaders clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a and inside centre Irae Simone will both make their 50th Super Rugby appearance in Saturday's blockbuster showdown against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Fainga'a has scored 29 tries for the franchise since debuting for the Brumbies in 2018 and will pack down alongside Wallabies props and long time teammates Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa, with the latter to skipper the side.
After beginning his career in NSW, Simone has found his feet in the nation's capital with 40 of his 50 Super Rugby caps coming in Brumbies colours. He will partner the elusive Len Ikitau in the midfield on Saturday.
After a breakout year in 2020, Solomone Kata will wear Brumbies colours for the first time this season, named on the right wing to replace the injured Andy Muirhead.
Following an impressive performance in the back row in last weekend's heartbreaking Grand Final loss, Nick Frost returns to the more familiar second row position where he will partner the in-form Darcy Swain, with regular starter Cadeyrn Neville nursing a shoulder injury.
The back row sees last week's Brumbies debutant Henry Stowers earn his first start for the franchise at blindside flank with Academy graduate Rory Scott at openside and the powerhouse Rob Valetini at the back of the scrum.
ACT junior Ryan Lonergan will get his second crack at the starting scrumhalf role this year, partnering Noah Lolesio in the halves.
Kata's return to the team is the only change to the back three with Tom Wright on the left edge and Tom Banks wearing the familiar No.15 jersey.
Fresh from re-signing with the team this week, Lachlan Lonergan will play a significant role as the replacement hooker with local products Harry Lloyd and Tom Ross the reserve props.
Bathurst-born Tom Hooper is in line to become the eighth debutant for the franchise this season after being named as the replacement lock with Luke Reimer providing cover for the back row.
Picked as a reserve outside back in his five matches so far this year, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa returns to the matchday squad as the replacement halfback with playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa and versatile Mack Hansen completing the 23.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "It’s great to see Sol Kata and Henry Stowers get a start, and Tom Hooper likely getting his debut off the bench against some of the best locks in the game.
"We've talked a lot this week about getting straight back on the saddle, and this is a challenge we've been excited about for a long time.
"We certainly feel there’s no greater challenge in World Rugby than going to Christchurch and taking the Crusaders on but having said that, we’re going over there with the mindset to win the game."
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Henry Stowers, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga'a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Mack Hansen.
Date: Saturday, May 15
Venue: Addington Showgrounds, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.05 (17.05 AEST; 07.05 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: James Doleman, Dan Waenga
TMO: Glenn Newman