ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham is backing his depth to deliver a maiden win in Fiji against the Drua on Saturday.
Larkham has left the majority of his Wallabies in Canberra, with the likes of Tom Wright, Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper and Len Ikitau not selected.
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Flyhalf Noah Lolesio is one of the few Test stars selected for the game in Suva, with halves partner Ryan Lonergan to captain the side.
“We’re going to take a bit of a risk and we’re going to travel to Fiji without the bulk of our Wallaby contingent,” Larkham said to reporters.
“The other players have trained exceptionally well. There is a real connection in the team at the moment. If I compare this season to last, I think we’re in a slightly better place.
“The plan is to bring most of them back next week.”
Despite this, the Brumbies side is still stacked with international talent.
Wallabies Blake Schoupp and Billy Pollard start in the front-row alongside Tongan international Feao Fotuaika, with Schoupp recovering from a shoulder injury.
Tom Hooper starts in the second-row, with 2024 Test debutant Luke Reimer named at openside.
Australia XV stars Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford and Andy Muirhead are in the backline, with Austin Anderson set to debut in the centres.
Lington Ieli, Judah Saumaisue and Kadin Pritchard are also set for their Brumbies and Super Rugby debuts off the bench
“It’s great to have so many debuts this weekend. I’m delighted for every single one of them, they’ve all worked extremely hard in pre-season and deserve their chance,” Larkham said.
“It’s incredible to have the three guys (Anderson, Ieli and Pritchard) come through our Academy and into the first-team squad.
"It’s been part of the club’s ethos since the beginning, to provide the right environment to develop talent. The three new signings have also made an immense impact since their arrival and are going to be crucial additions this season.”
BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Billy Pollard, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Luke Reimer, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Austin Anderson, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford, Andy Muirhead
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Lington Ieli, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Judah Saumaisue, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Kadin Pritchard
