BRUMBIES vs WARATAHS - Friday March 4, 7:40pm, GIO Stadium
BRUMBIES
Wallabies loose head Scott Sio returns to Brumbies starting side to face the Waratahs, off the back of news of his re-signing.
Sio replaces Allan Alaalatoa in the starting XV as one of two changes to the Brumbies team.
Lock Rory Arnold will miss the match with a knee injury, replaced by Queenslander Blake Enever.
The Brumbies will donate $20,000 to the Domestic Violence Crisis Service if they can attract 20,000 to the local derby.
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore (c)
3. Ben Alexander
4. Blake Enever
5. Sam Carter
6. Scott Fardy
7. David Pocock
8. Ita Vaea
9. Tomás Cubelli
10. Christian Lealiifano (c)
11. Joe Tomane
12. Matt Toomua
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Aidan Toua
Reserves
16. Josh Mann-Rea
17. Allan Alaalatoa
18. Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin
19 Jordan Smiler
20. Jarrad Butler
21. Michael Dowsett
22. Andrew Smith
23. Nigel Ah Wong
WARATAHS
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will become the second-highest capped Waratahs player when they take on the Brumbies this Friday night.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has opted to keep the same starting team that took an opening win, with just two changes in the match day 23.
Front rowers Jeremy Tilse and Angus Ta’avao are in line for their 50th Super Rugby caps in the match.
Lock Dean Mumm will become the Waratahs highest-capped second rower in his 100th game for NSW.
Prop Matt Sandell is in line for his Super Rugby debut, replacing veteran prop Benn Robinson (concussion), while Wycliff Palu comes onto the bench, with NRL flyer Reece Robinson dropping out the NSW 23.
1. Paddy Ryan (63 caps)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (131 caps)
3. Angus Ta’avao (49 caps)
4. Dean Mumm (87 caps – 99 caps for NSW)
5. Will Skelton (40 caps)
6. David Dennis (VC – 93 caps)
7. Michael Hooper (C – 82 caps)
8. Jed Holloway (5 caps)
9. Nick Phipps (83 caps)
10. Kurtley Beale (116 caps)
11. Zac Guildford (80 caps)
12. David Horwitz (1 cap)
13. Rob Horne (90 caps)
14. Matt Carraro (41 caps)
15. Israel Folau (46 caps)
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (29 caps)
17. Matt Sandell (potential NSW/Super Rugby debut)
18. Jeremy Tilse (49 caps)
19. Sam Lousi (5 caps)
20. Wycliff Palu (121 caps)
21. Jack Dempsey (4 caps)
22. Matt Lucas (13 caps)
23. Bryce Hegarty (34 caps)
REDS vs FORCE - Saturday March 5, 7:40pm Suncorp Stadium
REDS
Japanese Test fullback Ayumu Goromaru will make his run-on debut for the Queensland Reds against the Force.
An ankle injury to rookie centre Henry Taefu will leave him out for 6-8 weeks, shifting Karmichael Hunt to the centres in the only change to their starting lineup this week.
Junior Laloifi comes into the match-day 23, in contention for his Super Rugby debut.
1. Ben Daley
2. Saia Fainga’a
3. Greg Holmes
4. Cadeyrn Neville
5. Rob Simmons (C)
6. Hendrik Tui
7. Curtis Browning
8. Jake Schatz
9. Nick Frisby
10. Jake McIntyre
11. Eto Nabuli
12. Karmichael Hunt
13. Samu Kerevi
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
15. Ayumu Goromaru (run-on debut)
Reserves
16. Andrew Ready
17. Sef Fa’agase
18. Sam Talakai
19. Ben Matwijow
20. Michael Gunn
21. Scott Gale
22. Sam Greene
23. Junior Laloifi (potential Queensland/Super Rugby debut)
REBELS vs BULLS - Sunday March 6, midnight AEDT, Pretoria
The Rebels have made two changes to their starting side with Jack Debreczenit the major boost, but will miss Colby Fainga'a, Mike Harris and Nic Stirzaker in Pretoria.
Steve Cummins will start at lock in the other change to the starting XV.
REBELS
1. Toby Smith
2. James Hanson
3. Laurie Weeks
4. Luke Jones
5. Steve Cummins
6. Adam Thomson
7. Sean McMahon (captain)
8. Lopeti Timani
9. Ben Meehan
10. Jack Debreczeni
11. Tom English
12. Mitch Inman
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Dom Shipperley
15. Reece Hodge
Reserves
16. Pat Leafa
17. Cruze Ah Nau
18. Jamie Hagan
19. Sam Jeffries
20. Jordy Reid
21. Mick Snowden
22. Jonah Placid
23. Dan Hawkins
