Cubelli to make Brumbies debut

Thu, Feb 4, 2016, 2:30 AM
LIVE
by LIVE

Argentinian scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli will face his first Super Rugby test this weekend, starting for the Brumbies against the Waratahs.

Cubelli joined the club ahead of the 2016 season, after being part of Los Pumas’ Rugby World Cup semi-final campaign.

He will partner with Wallabies back Matt Toomua in the halves, part of a 31-man squad named by Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.

While most of the side’s Wallabies have been rested for the trial, regular starter Tevita Kuridrani will come off the bench in the trial.

Wallabies reserve winger Joe Tomane will also come off the bench for the ACT franchise.

High school super boot Nick Jooste will play his first Brumbies game in Wagga as well, after impressing in the NRC competition.

While they’ll likely be competing for the same back row spot during the season,  Jarrad Butler and Ita Vaea will team up as openside and number eight, respectively, in the absence of regular seven David Pocock.

Prop Ruan Smith will feature in the action less than a week after returning from the Japanese Top League.

The Brumbies will blood plenty of Extended Playing Squad members in the match as Larkham looks to test out his youth ahead of the 2016 season.

The Brumbies face the Waratahs in Wagga on Saturday February 6, before meeting the Reds at Ballymore six days later.

Their Super Rugby season kicks off on February 26, with the Brumbies hosting the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium.

 

BRUMBIES v NSW WARATAHS 

1. Allan Alaalatoa

2. Josh Mann-Rea

3. Ben Alexander

4. Tom Staniforth

5. Sam Carter

6. Jordan Smiler

7. Jarrad Butler

8. Ita Vaea

9. Tomás Cubelli

10. Matt Toomua

11. Nigel Ah Wong

12. Jordan Jackson-Hope

13. Andrew Smith

14. Lausii Taliauli

15. Aidan Toua


RESERVES

16. Albert Anae

17. Robbie Abel

18. Leslie Leuluai’ali’i-Makin

19. Ruan Smith

20. Rory Arnold

21. Blake Enever

22. Ben Hyne

23. Michael Wells

24. Joe Powell

25. Michael Dowsett

26. Nick Jooste

27. Joe Tomane

28. Jake Rakic

29. Tevita Kuridrani

30. James Dargaville

31. Isaac Thompson

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