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Brumbies bring back big guns for Waratahs derby

Joe Powell. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has recalled James Slipper, Joe Powell and Andy Muirhead to the starting side for Sunday afternoon’s clash with fierce rivals the NSW Waratahs at GIO Stadium.

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Fresh off signing a new two-year extension at the club, Slipper returns at loosehead prop alongside Connal McInerney and skipper Allan Alaalatoa in the front row.

Murray Douglas and Cadeyrn Neville have formed a strong partnership in the second row and will get another chance to combine on Sunday.

McKellar has named an unchanged backrow for the fourth consecutive week with Rob Valetini and Will Miller the flankers and Pete Samu at no.8.

Scrumhalf Joe Powell returns to the number nine jersey alongside flyhalf Noah Lolesio, with Tevita Kuridrani and Irae Simone set to hold down the midfield.

Continue reading below…

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Andy Muirhead returns to the starting XV for the first time since the Chiefs win, with Solomone Kata on the opposite wing.

Tom Banks will again line-up at fullback in what will be his 50th appearance for the club.

The front row replacements are a trio of local products in Lachlan Lonergan, Harry Lloyd and Tom Ross, while tall timber Darcy Swain and workhorse Tom Cusack will provide the extra forward spark.

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Ryan Lonergan is the reserve scrumhalf after a stellar run on debut in Wollongong last weekend with young playmaker Bayley Kuenzle returning to the matchday 23 after captaining the Runners last week and livewire Tom Wright providing plenty of cover from the pine.

Plus500 Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: “The side can’t wait for the match on Sunday, this game means a lot to this club and our supporters and everyone’s chomping at the bit.”

“We know the Waratahs are going to be more than up for it, past form goes out the window in these games and they always grow a leg when they come down the Hume.

“Our supporters really get behind us for this match and we know there’s going to be a big crowd out there at GIO for some high quality Sunday afternoon footy.”

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BRUMBIES ROUND SEVEN TEAM
1. James Slipper
2. Connal McInerney
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c)
4. Murray Douglas
5. Cadeyrn Neville
6. Rob Valetini
7. Will Miller
8. Pete Samu
9. Joe Powell
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Andy Muirhead
12. Irae Simone
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Solomone Kata
15. Tom Banks

REPLACEMENTS
16. Lachlan Lonergan
17. Harry Lloyd
18. Tom Ross
19. Darcy Swain
20. Tom Cusack
21. Ryan Lonergan
22. Bayley Kuenzle
23. Tom Wright

– Brumbies Rugby

WATCH: The sixth series of ‘The Season’ in partnership with Brisbane Boys College – In the lead up to the series premier, we take a look at some of the personalities involved including barnstorming centre, Jack Howarth.

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R
RedWarriors 5 hours ago
'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

I am not really sure how this tour benefits France beyond showing NZ ways to beat them. They already know how to beat NZ.

Ireland won a series there in 2022 which prompted a year long shift in strategy to specifically beat Ireland. This was confirmed recently by Will Jordan.

Winning tight matches isn’t necessarily about psychology. It’s about having weapons to get over the line. For SA that was a scrum to win penalties and a kicker to either kick the penalty over or down the line if a try is needed. See SA v England in 2023 SF.

England used their jacklers to win penalties to get them deep into the 22 a couple of times late against France. Ireland improvised with drop kicks to win versus SA.

NZ spent decades fretting over choking in RWCs. Their strategy was often to develop such an outstanding team that pressure wouldn’t come into it. All they needed to do (France 99, 07) was to use some of their prep to learn how to neuter their opponents.

NZ have learned that lesson well and it should have gotten them a RWC win in ‘23 after knocking Ireland out. They will do the same against France or attempt to.

It doesn’t matter with SA v NZ because those teams are set up to beat/not lose against each other.

I don’t see NZ whipping the French second string and there is no benefit in showing NZ their hand.

I don’t agree with the image of International Rugby or respect comment. International Rugby should put all their focus on expanding the game (Tier 2) which was the supposed purpose of a RWC not as a status symbol for Tier1As.

No offense to Marshall and NZ, but if they demand respect they should give some too. Ireland certainly were not respected after their 22 series win and France won’t be either.

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