Brumbies pathways prod­ucts Lachlan and Ryan Lonergan will start against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in round two of the Super Rugby Pacific clash tomorrow at the GIO Stadium, Canberra.

According to Brumbies Rugby, the brothers first started togeth­er in the penultimate round of 2021, Nick Frost being the other addition to the Brumbies start­ing side for the.

Lachlan scored the match win­ning try against the Western Force in round one as the finish­ing hooker slips into the start­ing front-row beside captain Al­lan Alaalatoa at tighthead prop and James Slipper at loosehead.

Lachlan takes on 22-year-old Fijian hooker Tevita Ikanivere who aside from his lineout throws, which were average, was superb in general play.

Frost will partner Darcy Swain in the second row, with an unchanged backrow of Rob Valetini, Rory Scott and Pete Samu taking on the Drua.

An interesting battle looms when powerhouse blindside flanker Valetini faces young flanker Kitione Salawa. Also, the impressive Scott is taking on Vilive Miramira.

But a torrid affair will be at the back of the scrum between Drua captain, Nemani Nagusa and Samu, who is also a former Crusaders looseman.

In the backs Ryan was instru­mental in leading the Brumb­ies attack in the closing stages from halfback and will combine with Tuggeranong Vikings teammate Noah Lolesio in the halves.

Irae Simone and Len Ikitau continue their centre partner­ship with Andy Muirhead and Tom Wright retaining their starting positions for round two.

Tom Banks starts at fullback after an impressive showing in round one on his return from injury.

For the Fijians, head coach Mick Bryne has opted for the halves combination of Simione Kuruvoli and Caleb Muntz.

He has also kept the centre partnership of Kalaveti Ra­vouvou and Apisalome Vota.

Onisi Ratave takes on Muir­head on the wing while the oth­er interesting clash is between Vinaya Habosi and Wright.

Billy Pollard’s strong presea­son is rewarded with his inclu­sion as the finishing hooker, with Brumbies centurion Scott Sio and Tom Ross the prop re­placements.

Brumby 239 Ed Kennedy will cover lock with Jahrome Brown earning a place in the matchday squad as the backrow impact.

Nic White will have an impor­tant role to play as the halfback finisher with the exciting addi­tion of Chris Feauai-Sautia as the potential Brumbies debu­tant and Jesse Mogg complet­ing the Brumbies selection for round two.

Brumbies head coach, Dan McKellar told Brumbies Rugby: “We’re fortunate to be in a posi­tion to rotate some guys in for this week off the back of a hard-fought game in the heat against the Force.

“Our runners team was out­standing in Sydney last Sat­urday and guys like Billy Pol­lard, Jahrome Brown and Chris Feauai-Sautia on debut get a crack off the back of that.

“We know we’ve got to be more accurate this week against the Drua but there was plenty to build on from round one and we’re excited to be back home again this week in front of our friends, families, members and supporters.”

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