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Brumbies opt for consistency against Rebels

Cape Town - Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has made one enforced change to the starting line-up for the clash against the Melbourne Rebels.

Prop Nic Mayhew comes into the team in place of the injured Ben Alexander.

Alexander had been set to make Brumbies history by claiming his 143rd cap against the Rebels at GIO Stadium this Saturday, but an injury sustained late in training on Wednesday has put those plans on hold.

Mayhew, who himself was forced to miss the match in Buenos Aires through injury, comes into the team which returns from their around-the-world trip, having gained nine points following excellent victories against the Kings in Port Elizabeth and the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

Joe Powell, included in the Wallabies Test squad for the June series for matches against Scotland, Italy and Fiji, remains at scrum-half in a backline that also includes Henry Speight, Kyle Godwin and Tevita Kuridrani, who Wallabies coach Michael Cheika also selected this week.

Tom Banks, who looked sharp in a man-of-the-match performance in Argentina which brought him a brace of tries, is at full-back, with Aidan Toua remaining on the left wing. 

There are two changes on the replacements bench with Nigel Ah Wong coming back into the matchday 23 for the first time since Round Nine.

Tom Staniforth replaces Blake Enever in the other change amongst the replacements whilst Faalelei Sione gets another opportunity to shine.

Two-try hero Andrew Muirhead, who came off the bench to huge effect in South America, retains his place, looking to add to his impressive display against the Jaguares. The Brumbies have a nine-point lead at the top of the Australian Conference heading into the match with three rounds remaining. 

Teams:

Brumbies

15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Aidan Toua, 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 Nic Mayhew

Substitutes: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Faalelei Sione, 18 Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 De Wet Roos, 22 Andrew Muirhead, 23 Nigel Ah Wong

Rebels

15 Reece Hodge, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Nic Stirzaker (captain), 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Hugh Sinclair, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 James Hanson, 1 Toby Smith

Substitutes: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Laurie Weeks, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Will Miller, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Jonah Placid

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