Brumbies coach Adam Butt has made two changes to the side ahead of their blockbuster showdown against two-time Super W champions the NSW Waratahs on Friday afternoon.
World Cup Wallaroo Rebecca Smyth has been ruled out with a broken nose and is replaced in the backrow by the versatile Ema Masi with standout rookie Zali Waihape-Andrews moving to blindside flanker.
The reshuffle sees Emily Sogal return to the second row, reignitiing her partnership with co-captain and fellow lock Michaela Leonard.In the front row, Peta Cox retains her starting spot at loosehead and will be joined up front by Harriet Elleman and Louise Burrows, the latter scoring two tries in two matches to start the season.
2019 Super W Player of the Year, Tayla Stanford made a successful return from an ACL injury in last week's win over the Rebels and is expected to get more minutes under her belt on Friday afternoon.
For the third consecutive week the backline remains unchanged with co-captain Jane Garraway and schoolgirl sensation Ella Ryan steering the team from the halves.
Goal-kicking sharp shooter Sammie Wood will again join the damaging Pesi Palu in the midfield with Gabrielle Petersen and Darcy Read the pace on the wings.
The number 15 jersey will again be worn by Talei Qalo Wilson who's five-pointer last week is an early contender for Super W try of the season.
On the pine, Tania Afamasaga and Iris Verebalavu are joined by Northern Territory product Niki Patterson as front row replacements with Grace Sullivan and Pearl Rakete the other forwards ready to finish the match.
Reserve scrumhalf Phoebe Loughhead returns to the bench as Butt prefers a 5-3 split for this clash with Claudia Obst and Ainsley Scrivener to provide the spark in the backs.
Brumbies Super W coach Adam Butt said: "To lose Rebecca is obviously disappointing but we're really happy with the depth we have across not only the backrow but the squad as whole."
"We've been improving each week during the season and we know this week's match is going to be a big challenge but it's something we're ready for and we're confident we can step again."
BRUMBIES SUPER W ROUND THREE TEAM
1. Peta Cox
2. Harriet Elleman
3. Louise Burrows
4. Michaela Leonard (c)
5. Emily Sogal
6. Zali Waihape-Andrews
7. Ema Masi
8. Tayla Stanford
9. Jane Garraway (c)
10. Ella Ryan
11. Darcy Read
12. Sammie Wood
13. Pesi Palu
14. Gabrielle Petersen
15. Talei Qalo Wilson
REPLACEMENTS
16. Tania Afamasaga
17. Niki Patterson
18. Iris Verebalavu
19. Grace Sullivan
20. Pearl Rakete
21. Phoebe Loughhead
22. Claudia Obst
23. Ainsley Scrivener
The Brumbies will take on the NSW Waratahs in round three at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney on Friday at 4:35pm AEDT. The match will be live streamed on brumbies.rugby.
