Cape Town - Brumbies coach Jake White has rested veteran flank George Smith for their Super Rugby clash against the Force in Perth on Saturday.
White said Smith would be needed in the playoffs and resting him now was the right option. White, however, insisted it had nothing to do with the hard head-knock Smith took in the Wallabies' third Test against the British and Irish Lions last week. Colby Faingaa starts in his place at No 7, with Smith on the bench.
White, meanwhile, drafted in all his other Wallabies for the clash at NIB Stadium.
Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Ben Mowen, Joe Tomane, Christian Lealiifano and Jesse Mogg were named to start in their usual positions, while fellow Wallaby squad members Scott Sio and Peter Kimlin are also starting.
Scrumhalf Nic White is still recovering from a shoulder injury, but is expected to return for the playoffs.
The Brumbies are third on the overall log and guaranteed their first playoff berth since 2004, but could finish as high as first if results go their way.
Saturday's clash kicks off at 13:45 (SA time)
Teams:
Force:
TBA
Brumbies:
15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Colby Faingaa, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy,3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio
Substitutes: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Fotu Auelua, 19 George Smith, 20 Robbie Coleman, 21 Andrew Smith, 22 Mark Swanepoel
White said Smith would be needed in the playoffs and resting him now was the right option. White, however, insisted it had nothing to do with the hard head-knock Smith took in the Wallabies' third Test against the British and Irish Lions last week. Colby Faingaa starts in his place at No 7, with Smith on the bench.
White, meanwhile, drafted in all his other Wallabies for the clash at NIB Stadium.
Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Ben Mowen, Joe Tomane, Christian Lealiifano and Jesse Mogg were named to start in their usual positions, while fellow Wallaby squad members Scott Sio and Peter Kimlin are also starting.
Scrumhalf Nic White is still recovering from a shoulder injury, but is expected to return for the playoffs.
The Brumbies are third on the overall log and guaranteed their first playoff berth since 2004, but could finish as high as first if results go their way.
Saturday's clash kicks off at 13:45 (SA time)
Teams:
Force:
TBA
Brumbies:
15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben Mowen (captain), 7 Colby Faingaa, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy,3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio
Substitutes: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Fotu Auelua, 19 George Smith, 20 Robbie Coleman, 21 Andrew Smith, 22 Mark Swanepoel