Fijian loose forwards Isi Naisarani and Rob Valetini will make their Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies today.
According to rugby.com.au, coach Dan McKellar has opted to have them in his line-up as they partner Olympian and Canberra Vikings captain Tom Cusack when they take on Sunwolves in Tokyo, Japan.
Other Fijians in the Brumbies line-up are veteran centre Tevita Kuridrani and winger Henry Speight. Wallabies prop Scott Sio has been dropped from the Brumbies’ season opener, in a lineup that features a few surprises from McKellar.
Ben Alexander and Allan Alaalatoa will team up in the front row for their match against the Sunwolves, with Sio nursing a ‘minor niggle’ back in Canberra.
Richie Arnold has usurped his twin Rory for his debut Brumbies start, with the latter on the pine in Tokyo. Chance Peni will make his Brumbies debut on the wing, teaming up with Wallabies speedster Speight on the edges, with Tom Banks at 15.
The match kicks-off at 4.10pm.
Brumbies: 1. Ben Alexander, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Richie Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Chance Peni, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Rory Arnold, 20. Lachlan Mccaffrey, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Wharenui Hawera, 23. Lausii Taliauli
Sunwolves: 15 Jason Emery, 14 Lomano Lava Lemeki, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Hosea Saumaki, 10 Robbie Robinson, 9 Yutaka Nagare (c), 8 Willem Britz, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Kazuki Himeno, 5 Grant Hattingh, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Jiwon Koo, 2 Ho Shota Horie, 1 Keita Inagaki
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 James Moore, 20 Edward Quirk, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Sione Teaupa
Edited by Grace Narayan
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
