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Johannesburg - Prop Allan Alaalatoa makes his first career start while Matt Toomua returns to the fray at inside centre when the Brumbies tackle the Lions in a Super Rugby clash on Saturday.
Needing a win to stay in playoffs contention, the match proves as vital in the context of both side’s seasons.
Alaalatoa has featured heavily off the bench this season and played the bulk of last week’s game against the Stormers at loosehead, but Saturday’s start provides the young prop with an opportunity to stable the scrum which was heavily penalised at Newlands.
The pair’s inclusion pushes JP Smith and Robbie Coleman from the starting side.
Like Alaalatoa, Toomua will look for a massive performance having been out of the side through an ankle injury for the best part of a month.
Kick-off for Saturday’s clash at Emirates Airline Park is scheduled for 17:05.
Teams:
Lions
TBA
Brumbies
15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Allan Alaalatoa
Substitutes: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jarrad Butler, 20 Jordan Smiler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Robbie Coleman
