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Cape Town - Flanker Scott Fardy will lead out the Brumbies for the first time against conference rivals the Reds at GIO Stadium on Saturday evening as one of three changes to the starting XV for the Super Rugby encounter.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has recalled lock Rory Arnold to the starting side in place of regular skipper Sam Carter, who is rotated out of the line-up. Arnold will partner Blake Enever at lock whilst prop Scott Sio makes a first start of the season with Nic Mayhew reverting to the replacements.
There is one change in the back-line as well with ex-Reds utility-back Tom Banks handed a Brumbies debut on the left wing with James Dargaville taking a spot amongst the substitutes.
Alongside Dargaville on the bench there is a first appearance of the campaign for back-row Jarrad Butler, potentially his 50th Brumbies cap, and Andrew Smith returns with Jordan Jackson-Hope dropping out of the matchday 23.
Apart from the trio of newcomers, the Brumbies name the same team that went close to downing the Highlanders in Round 5 and, with the team coming off the bye week, they will be determined to get back to winning ways and take a firm command of the Australian Conference.
An exciting front row of Sio, Robbie Abel and Allan Alaalatoa will ensure a solid platform up front with Fardy leading from his usual blindside flanker role with Chris Alcock on the opposite flank and Jordan Smiler at number eight.
Joe Powell and Wharenui Hawera will conduct play from behind the scrum with the centre pairing of Kyle Godwin and Tevita Kuridrani lining up alongside each other for the sixth successive match.
Leading try scorer Henry Speight takes up position on the right wing with speedy full-back Aidan Toua also featuring against his former team.
Teams:
Brumbies
15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Tom Banks, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Jordan Smiler, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Scott Fardy (captain), 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Robbie Abel, 1 Scott Sio
Substitutes: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 De Wet Roos, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 James Dargaville
Reds
15 Lachlan Maranta, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 George Smith, 6 Adam Korczyk, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Sef Fa’agase
Substitutes: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Kirwan Sanday, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Hendrik Tui, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Izaia Perese
