Academy graduate Len Ikitau will start his first Plus500 Brumbies game this weekend having been named in the team to face the Blues at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.
For tickets to the game, click here.
Ikitau is one of three changes from the side that took to the field in Buenos Aires last week. Scrumhalf Joe Powell and midfielder Irae Simone return to the starting XV, with Tom Wright and local product Ryan Lonergan named amongst the replacements.
The Brumbies return home to GIO Stadium aiming for a fourth home win in succession having beaten the Chiefs, Waratahs and Lions.
Following a successful tour with a special win over the Stormers in Cape Town, the match promises to be an exciting encounter with the Auckland-based side similarly placed on the tightly packed Super Rugby competition table.
James Slipper gets the nod to start at prop along with Allan Alaalatoa and hooker Folau Fainga’a in the front row, along with Rory Arnold and Sam Carter continuing as the lock pairing following some excellent set-piece work against the Jaguares in Argentina.
The same starting loose forward trio continues from their strong performances on tour, including a first start at GIO Stadium for Jahrome Brown, the flanker having emerged as a genuine threat since his introduction to Super Rugby, alongside Tom Cusack and Pete Samu to complete the forward pack.
Powell reforms his halfback partnership with Christian Lealiifano, who captains the team and needs one-point to bring up 900 Super Rugby career points, with Simone and Ikitau combining in midfield.
Out wide, speedsters Toni Pulu and Henry Speight will link with fullback Tom Banks.
Amongst the finishers, McKellar selects Scott Sio, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin and Connal McInerney as his front row options with Darcy Swain and Murray Douglas, impressive off the bench in recent weeks, continuing to add power and mobility from the replacements.
Lonergan and Tom Wright are joined by Andy Muirhead in the back-line reserves.
The Plus500 Brumbies will celebrate Armed Forces Round at GIO Stadium this weekend with $10 adult tickets for all servicemen and women on production of their Military ID at the gate. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
Royal Military College Duntroon (RMC) Rugby Club will play Goulburn in the curtain raiser with kick-off at 5.05pm.
TEAM
1. James Slipper
2. Folau Fainga’a
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Rory Arnold
5. Sam Carter
6. Tom Cusack
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Pete Samu
9. Joe Powell
10. Christian Lealiifano (c)
11. Toni Pulu
12. Irae Simone
13. Len Ikitau
14. Henry Speight
15. Tom Banks
REPLACEMENTS
16. Connal McInerney
17. Scott Sio
18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin
19. Darcy Swain
20. Murray Douglas
21. Ryan Lonergan
22. Tom Wright
23. Andy Muirhead
UNAVAILABLE: Ben Hyne, Lachlan McCaffrey, Josh Mann-Rea, David Pocock, Rob Valetini
MATCH DETAILS
Super Rugby Round 12
Saturday 4 May 2019
Plus500 Brumbies v Blues
(GIO Stadium, 19:45)
