TEAM NEWS: Lolesio takes playmaking reins for Brumbies

Wed, Jan 22, 2020, 1:18 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Noah Lolesio will play 10 for the Brumbies on Thursday night. Photo: Getty Images
Noah Lolesio will play 10 for the Brumbies on Thursday night. Photo: Getty Images

Noah Lolesio has been handed the first flyhalf audition for the Brumbies after being named to start at 10 against the Rebels in Albury.

The Brumbies and Rebels are playing back-to-back games on Thursday, featuring their entire squads, but it's the second game that shapes as the most telling.

Lolesio will take the 10 jersey in the second match, in a starting XV that includes eight capped Wallabies.

Scott Sio, Folau Faingaa and Allan Alaalatoa will start in the front row in that 6:15pm game with Darcy Swain and Murray Douglas combining in the second  row.

Rob Valetini, Tom Cusack and Pete Samu will start in the backrow with Joe Powell and Lolesio the halves.

New recruit Solomone Kata will line up on the wing in his first Brumbies outing, with fellow ex-NRL player Tom Wright will start on the other edge.

Schoolboys star Reesjan Pasitoa will play at inside centre in the Brumbies' first match, which features mainly youngsters and rising stars.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said the matches would be a good opportunity for players to push their cases for round one spots.

Everyone's really excited to get down to Albury and play some footy and put the things we've been working on into practice."

"We've got a lot of Brumbies fans down in the Albury region so we're really thrilled to be able to take a pre-season fixture like this down to the area.

"It's a great opportunity for some of the new faces and also for some of the guys that have been around for a while to put their hands up for selection in round one next Friday night.

The Brumbies take on the Rebels in their only Super Rugby trial on Thursday January 23 at Greenfield Reserve, Albury, kicking off at 3:45pm and 6:15pm. The 6:15pm AEDT game will be broadcast LIVE on RUGBY.com.au, brumbies.rugby and melbournerebels.com.

TEAMS

Brumbies to face Rebels, game one

1. Harry Lloyd*

2. Lachlan Lonergan

3. Tom Ross*

4. Tom Hooper

5. Nick Frost*

6. Rory Scott

7. Jahrome Brown*

8. Luke Reimer

9. Issak Fines

10. Bayley Kuenzle*

11. Guy Porter

12. Reesjan Pasitoa

13. Len Ikitau*

14. Tom Haddad

15. Mack Hansen*

Reserves

Billy Pollard, Fred Kahea, Bo Abra, Callum McDonald, Zeph Tuinona, Lachlan Osbourne, Lachie Albert, Isaac Henry, Billy Carberry, Dennis Waight, Tony Alofipo, Luke Gersekowski

*Indicates player will also play in Game Two

Brumbies to face Rebels, game two

1. Scott Sio

2. Folau Fainga'a

3. Allan Alaalatoa (c)

4. Murray Douglas

5. Darcy Swain

6. Rob Valetini

7. Tom Cusack

8. Pete Samu

9. Joe Powell

10. Noah Lolesio

11. Tom Wright

12. Irae Simone

13. Tevita Kuridrani

14. Solomone Kata

15. Tom Banks

Reserves

Connal McInerney, James Slipper, Caderyn Neville, Will Miller, Ryan Lonergan, Andy Muirhead, Toni Pulu

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