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Brumbies ring the changes for quarter-final versus Sharks

20 Jun 2019

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

Brumbies are banking on home advantage in Canberra proving decisive when they take on the South African Sharks at GIO Stadium on Saturday in the Super Rugby quarter-finals.

The sole Australian knock-out stage qualifier have won six games in succession and not lost a home match since February. Head coach Dan McKellar has now made four changes to the team that defeated the Reds to retain the Rod Macqueen Cup.

Henry Speight has been passed fit to reclaim the right wing spot, and Toni Pulu returns to the left wing forming a potent back three alongside Tom Banks.

The other two changes are in the back row where Tom Cusack and Pete Samu return to the starting XV alongside Rob Valetini. Loose forwards Lachlan McCaffrey and Jahrome Brown will provide power and impact from the replacements bench.

The nucleus of the pack that has been the benchmark for the Super Rugby competition in 2019 is retained with the all-international front row of Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa packing down with Brumbies leading try-scorer, Folau Fainga’a, the hooker having claimed 11 tries this season.

QUARTER-FINAL TEAM NEWS | Your Plus500 Brumbies side to take on the Sharks at GIO Stadium this Saturday! https://t.co/YhNo1bnqUB #FillTheFortress #BRUvSHA #BrumbiesFamily pic.twitter.com/K1ltWqysIX
— ACT Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) June 20, 2019

Christian Leali’ifano will win his 149^th Super Rugby cap, leading the team for the 47^th time as captain to equal the mark set by George Gregan. The gifted playmaker is also closing in on 950 Super Rugby points.

McKellar has opted for six forwards on the bench, adding Darcy Swain into the finishers with the front row substitutes being Connal McInerney, James Slipper and Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, the latter running out for his 49^th Super Rugby appearance.

STAT ATTACK Quarter-Finals
This week… Crunch time – which teams will handle finals pressure the best and we look at the best of the those who didn't make it to QFs?
Find out: https://t.co/Hm9jEwpqbj pic.twitter.com/nzvCKISEOe
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 20, 2019

Matt Lucas makes a return to the matchday 23 as one of two back replacements, together with utility Tom Wright who crossed for his third try of the season in the win over the Reds.

Should the Brumbies be successful in their quarter-final there are two potential semi-final fixtures. If the Jaguares defeat the Chiefs in Buenos Aires, the Brumbies will travel to Argentina, but if the Chiefs are successful the New Zealanders will be the opposition at GIO Stadium.

BRUMBIES (v Sharks, Saturday): T Banks; H Speight, T Kuridrani, I Simone, T Pulu; C Leali’ifano (capt), J Powell; S Sio, F Fainga’a, A Alaalatoa, R Arnold, S Carter, R Valetini, T Cusack, P Samu. Reps: C McInerney, J Slipper, L Leuluaialii-Makin, D Swain, L McCaffrey, J Brown, M Lucas, T Wright.

WATCH: Brumbies boss Dan McKellar previews their quarter-final showdown with the Sharks

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 14 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 14 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 14 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 14 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 14 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 14 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 15 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍