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Irae Simone returns for Brumbies battle with Chiefs but hat-trick hooker out with a toe injury

Irae Simone. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made three changes to the starting side ahead of their match against the Chiefs at FMG Stadium in Waikato on Saturday evening.

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Inside centre Irae Simone has overcome sickness to take his place in the side, once again partnering Tevita Kuridrani in the midfield.

Last week’s hat-trick scorer Folau Fainga’a has been replaced at hooker after suffering a toe injury, with Connal McInerney earning his first start of the season.

Andy Muirhead is named on the wing for the first time in 2020 with Toni Pulu set to see his first minutes of the year against his former club from the pine.

The rest of the backline remains unchanged with Joe Powell and Noah Lolesio set to continue to build on their combination in the halves.

Continue reading below…

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Australian Under 20s representative Lachlan Lonergan is in line for a potential Super Rugby debut from the bench, named alongside older brother Ryan as a replacement.

Young playmaker Bayley Kuenzle makes his return to the side from the bench while fullback Tom Banks is set to bring up his 50th Super Rugby cap this weekend.

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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: “It’s great to have a guy like Irae back in the squad, he brings a lot of experience and gives the team confidence when he’s out on the field.”

“Connal has been performing really well for us as a finisher so it’s a good reward for him to get his first start of the season. It also means we get to see Lachlan make his Super Rugby debut which is a special moment for him and his family, especially alongside his brother.

“We know the Chiefs are playing well and we respect them as the side but we’ve going over there full of confidence and are looking to come away with the win.”

Brumbies: Tom Banks, Solomone Kata, Tevita Kuridrani, Irae Simone, Andy Muirhead, Noah Lolesio, Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Will Miller, Rob Valeteni, Murray Douglas, Cadeyrn Neville, Allan Alaalatoa, Connal McInerney, James Slipper. Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Lachlan McCaffrey, Ryan Lonergan, Bayley Kuenzle, Toni Pulu.

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– Brumbies Rugby

WATCH: Brumbies backs Andy Muirhead and Toni Pulu spoke to the media ahead of this weekend’s match.

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Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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