Cancer survivor Lealiifano on bench for Brumbies

Sydney - Cancer survivor Christian Lealiifano will make his long-awaited return to Super Rugby for the Brumbies on Friday, nearly a year after being diagnosed with leukaemia. 

The Wallaby flyhalf, who has been out of action since his diagnosis last August, was named Tuesday on the bench for the clash against the Hurricanes in Canberra. 

Lealiifano made an emotional return to the sport last month when he appeared in his club's exhibition match against the Asia Pacific Dragons in Singapore. 

The 29-year-old kicked five conversions for a 10-point contribution, playing for 30 minutes.

New Zealand-born Lealiifano, who has played 19 Tests for Australia, was diagnosed with the cancer that affects the blood and had a bone-marrow transplant operation after a successful match with his sister.

Teams:

Brumbies 

15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani,12  Andrew Smith,11 James Dargaville, 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 Scott Sio

Substitutes: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23 Christian Leali'ifano

Hurricanes

TBA