Brumbies name 4 debutants for Super Rugby opener

Cape Town - Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar has named four uncapped players in his matchday 23 to face the Reds in their Super Rugby opener in Canberra on Friday.

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Academy product, Noah Lolesio gets first chance in the number 10 jersey on debut while NRL convert, Solomone Kata will also make his first Super Rugby appearance starting on the wing after a strong performance in the side’s trial match against the Melbourne Rebels in Albury last week.

Returning Canberra-local, Harry Lloyd and young flyhalf, Bayley Kuenzle are in line to make their Super Rugby debuts off the bench with former Rebels and Waratahs back-row Will Miller and home-again lock Caderyn Neville selected to represent the Brumbies jersey for the first time.

Towering duo Murray Douglas and Darcy Swain will get the first opportunity to partner in the second-row with Allan Alaalatoa to lead the side out at GIO Stadium after being unveiled as the side’s captain last week.

“I’m really pleased for the guys that are going to make their debuts on Friday night. Noah and Harry have both come through the Brumbies Academy, while Bayley has been waiting for a opportunity for some time and Sol has been really impressive since arriving in Canberra,” said McKellar. 

“As a team we’re really looking forward to opening our season in front of our home supporters, our region has been going through a tough time and we have an opportunity to make them smile on Friday night at GIO Stadium.”

Teams:

Brumbies

15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Murray Douglas, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio

Substitutes: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 James Slipper, 19 Caderyn Neville, 20 Will Miller, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Bayley Kuenzle, 23 Andy Muirhead

Reds

15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 James O’Connor, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Isaac Lucas, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (captain), 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 JP Smith

Subs: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Hunter Paisami

- TeamTalk Media