Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend has maintained his all-Wallaby centre pairing of Stirling Mortlock and Adam Ashley-Cooper for his side’s opening 2009 Investec Super 14 fixture against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday, 13 February.
Brumbies.com reports that Mortlock and Ashley-Cooper are two of 11 players in the CA Brumbies line-up with Test experience.
Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore and lock Ben Hand will each make their first appearance in the CA Brumbies’ starting line-up while fellow new recruit Sitaleki Timani will also play his first Investec Super 14 match for the ACT-based province off the bench.
Moore joins CA Brumbies stalwarts Nic Henderson and Guy Shepherdson in the front row while Hand will partner Wallaby lock Mark Chisholm in the second row.
Julian Salvi has been awarded the ‘6’ jersey for the Investec Super 14’s opening fixture alongside George Smith and No.8 Stephen Hoiles, who will captain lead the CA Brumbies for the first time in the Investec Super 14.
After two strong trial performances, Patrick Phibbs will start at scrumhalf with Christian Lealiifano assuming the key playmaker’s role. Fullback Mark Gerrard, and wingers Francis Fainifo and Clyde Rathbone will make up the CA Brumbies’ back three.
CA Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend said his side is aware of the need to start the season on a winning note.
“In such a short competition you must start well,” he said. “Historically ‘the House of Pain’ has been a tough venue for visiting teams and we realise that if we’re not 100% focused on the task at hand we’ll be in for a very long night.
“We were forced to delay naming the side with one or two guys recovering from knocks sustained against the Waratahs, however, they have all pulled through the beginning of the week without any problem and are ready to take the field on Friday night.
“There has been a great attitude and enthusiasm within the squad this week and we’re all very excited that game time is almost here.”
The CA Brumbies bench features 2008 Wallaby Spring Tour representatives Ben Alexander and Peter Kimlin, Australia A representatives John Ulugia and Joshua Holmes, and 2008 Investec Super 14 Rookie of the Year, Tyrone Smith.
CA Brumbies v Highlanders
Carisbrook, Dunedin (NZ)
Friday, 13 February 2009
Kick-off: 7.35pm local time (8.35am SA Time)
1. Nic Henderson
2. Stephen Moore
3. Guy Shepherson
4. Ben Hand
5. Mark Chisholm
6. Julian Salvi
7. George Smith
8. Stephen Hoiles (c)
9. Patrick Phibbs
10. Christian Lealiifano
11. Francis Fainifo
12. Stirling Mortlock
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Clyde Rathbone
15. Mark Gerrard
Reserves
16. John Ulugia
17. Ben Alexander
18. Sitaleki Timani
19. Peter Kimlin
20. Joshua Holmes
21. Tyrone Smith
22. Matt Toomua
Tweet
The Highlanders team to play the Brumbies this Friday 7.35pm at the Brook!
1. Jamie Mackintosh
2. David Hall
3. Clint Newland
4. Josh Bekhuis
5. Hayden Triggs
6. Adam Thomson
7. Alando Soakai
8. Steven Setephano
9. Jimmy Cowan (C)
10. Daniel Bowden
11. Fetu’u Vainikolo
12. Johnny Leota/Jayden Hayward
13. Jason Shoemark
14. Ben Smith
15. Israel Dagg
Reserves
16. Jason Rutledge
17. Chris King
18. George Naoupu
19. Tim Boys
20. Sean Romans
21. Jayden Hayward/Brett Mather
22. Kenny Lynn
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
4. Josh Bekhuis
That does not sound very NZ’dy…
@Hmmm (Comment 2) : yeah… a bit like Kees Meeuws
@robdylan (Comment 3) : Yip Yip
Weren’t the Dutch the first Europeans to reach NZ. I’m sure a few Dutchmen must have settle there.
@McLovin (Comment 5) :
Yip Yip
So how’ve you been MakeLovin
@Hmmm (Comment 7) : Are you flirting with me?
@McLovin (Comment 8) :
Are you crazy…what part of “How’ve you been” is flirty!!!!!
@Hmmm (Comment 9) : Makelovin? got me supicious.
@Hmmm (Comment 9) : But thanks for asking. I’m well thank you. Although having a couple of pints of Guinness with lunch tends to give me a sense of well being.
@McLovin (Comment 10) :
That’s you nick not mine!??!
@McLovin (Comment 11) :
Kool…you in Europe hey?
So at least you are getting colder than us… 😀
@Hmmm (Comment 12) : You must give me the name of your dealer. 😉 😛
@Hmmm (Comment 13) : Freezing. 😐 But I don’t really mind the cold so much.
@McLovin (Comment 14) :
What dealer? I don’t gamble!!! 😀
@McLovin (Comment 15) :
Well it was cold here today in Jozi (real cold) and it is Feb…supposed to be 30 + everyday…
@Hmmm (Comment 17) : Weird weather. Sign of the times…
@McLovin (Comment 18) : Yip Yip
@Hmmm (Comment 19) : Yip Yip
@McLovin (Comment 20) : Yip Yip
@Hmmm (Comment 17) : What’s real cold? According to weather dot com it’s 17 degrees there at the moment. 😎
@McLovin (Comment 22) : And it is in South Africa…so 17 is real cold…
@Hmmm (Comment 23) : Yip Yip
And the wind was blowing….a cold one…
Time (SAST): 8:00 AM Temp.:12 °C Humidity: 74% Wind Dir: SE Wind Speed:22.2 km/h Conditions: Haze
This is what it was when I was last outside!!!
@McLovin (Comment 24) : Yip Yip
That’s a decent looking Brumbie side…I reckon they should take this comfortably…even at the House of Pain!
Would the two of you please get a room??? Damn!!! 😯