Arnold & Valetini Bolster Brumbies Side For Bulls Showdown

Wed, May 22, 2019, 8:00 AM
Brumbies.rugby
by Brumbies.rugby
Arnold is returns to the team in the only change to the run-on side that defeated the Sunwolves 33-0 a fortnight ago.
Arnold is returns to the team in the only change to the run-on side that defeated the Sunwolves 33-0 a fortnight ago.

Wallabies lock Rory Arnold has returned to the starting line-up for the Plus500 Brumbies round 15 clash with the Bulls at GIO Stadium, Friday night.

You can get tickets for the game here. 

Arnold returns to the team in the only change to the run-on side that defeated the Sunwolves 33-0 a fortnight ago, the Brumbies enjoying the bye week and emerging still top of the Australian Conference standings, with four matches left to play. 

There’s also a welcome return for flanker Rob Valetini, the young backrower back in action after missing the last seven matches through injury.

Valetini is included amongst the replacements, one of six forwards that McKellar has chosen in expectation of a tough, physical battle against the South Africans. 

After the exciting attacking display against the Sunwolves, in which the Brumbies scored five tries including two sparkling tries touched down by Henry Speight and Tom Banks, it’s not surprising that the team remains settled with the duo selected in the back three alongside fellow speedster Toni Pulu. 

Tevita Kuridrani, who had three try assists to his name against the Sunwolves, will line-up in midfield alongside Irae Simone, the midfield pairing creating a heap of space with some incisive running in their last outing. 

Up front, Arnold will resume his locking partnership with the experienced Sam Carter ahead of a back-row of Jahrome Brown, Tom Cusack and Pete Samu, the trio picked to start a fourth successive match together and aiming to continue their impressive form of recent weeks. 

The bench split sees opportunities for Ryan Lonergan and Tom Wright as the back-line cover with Valetini one of half-a-dozen potential forward changes available to McKellar and his coaching team. 

This weekend marks the Brumbies celebration of their Indigeneous heritage with their Indigeneous Round featuring numerous activities on gameday including the traditional Welcome to Country, a Smoke Ceremony, Indigenous Dancers and Dale & The River Bank Band entertaining spectators before kick-off with an exhibition of Buroinjin at half-time. 

Tickets for the Round 15 match with the Bulls, which include access to the curtain-raiser Colts League Clash between Royals and Easts are available from www.ticketek.com.au with kick-off at GIO Stadium for the main match scheduled for 7.45pm.

TEAM 

1.      Scott SIO

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

11. Toni PULU

12. Irae SIMONE

13. Tevita KURIDRANI

14. Henry SPEIGHT

15. Tom BANKS

Replacements

16. Connal MCINERNEY

17. James SLIPPER

18. Leslie LEULUAIALII-MAKIN

19. Darcy SWAIN

20. Murray DOUGLAS

21. Rob VALETINI

22. Ryan LONERGAN

23. Tom WRIGHT

Match Details

Friday 24 May 2019

Super Rugby Round 15

Plus500 Brumbies v Bulls

(GIO Stadium, 19:45)
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