Cape Town - Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has named an unchanged team for their Super Rugby clash against the Jaguares at the Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
It's the first time this season that the Brumbies have named an unchanged twenty-three for a Super Rugby clash with Larkham keeping faith with the team that defeated the Kings (19-10) in Port Elizabeth last weekend.
The Brumbies pack is set for a monumental challenge with the Argentinians priding themselves on their physicality at the set-piece and enjoying the battle at scrum-time.
Prop Ben Alexander will equal the Brumbies all-time record number of caps when he takes to the field for the 142nd time, levelling the mark set by legendary flanker George Smith.
Alexander lines up in an experienced front-row alongside Josh Mann-Rea and Alan Alaalatoa, who was man-of-the-match against the Kings.
Skipper Sam Carter will lead the club on their first foray into Argentina with most the Brumbies squad, except for a handful of Australian internationals, never having tasted the ferocity of rugby in the country and ready for what is likely to be a baptism of fire.
In the backs, Tom Banks stays at full-back whilst Aidan Toua continues on the left wing, both having crossed the try-line against the Kings.
On the bench, there is another opportunity for back Andy Muirhead who became a Brumby #195 a week ago.
Kick-off on Saturday is at 23:40 (SA time).
Teams:
Jaguares
TBA
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Aidan Toua, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Jordan Smiler, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter (captain), 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Ben Alexander
Substitutes: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 De Wet Roos, 22 Andrew Muirhead, 23 Andrew Smith