Melbourne - The Brumbies have sprung a surprise by benching Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White for their Super Rugby match against the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has been replaced by Michael Dowsett, who will make his starting debut in the home match at Canberra Stadium, in one of five changes to the injury-depleted starting side.
White, capped 19 times for Australia, had a quiet game in the Brumbies' shock loss to the Auckland Blues last week but assistant coach Dan McKellar said the player just needed a rest.