Coach Stephen Larkham concedes the ACT Brumbies are realising the toll of losing some of their best players in the Super Rugby Pacific offseason after slumping to an eight-year low.
The Brumbies suffered a third consecutive defeat for the first time since 2018 against the Queensland Reds last Saturday, seeing them drop into sixth spot on the ladder, having rocketed to the top of the standings earlier in the campaign.
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Larkham figures part of the reason for their form drop is the loss of some leadership, which Wallabies Len Ikitau, Noah Lolesio, and Tom Hooper brought before departing ahead of the season.
"That (losing players in the offseason) came up after the game (against Queensland), certainly in terms of the opportunities these young guys have had this year," Larkham told reporters on Wednesday.
"There are certainly those questions ... Lachie Shaw has pretty much played every minute of every game. Kadin Pritchard would be another one ... he's played 12 games in 13 weeks.
"Declan Meredith would be another one in the hot seat for the whole season."
Larkham has received some welcome news with veteran Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa returning from a concussion, while outside centre Hudson Creighton and winger Ollie Sapsford have been promoted to the starting lineup to face the Western Force on Saturday.
The coach says adding Alaalatoa and Creighton will boost on-field leadership, as local star Chris Mickelson is in line for a Super Rugby debut from the bench after Luke Reimer sustained a concussion.
But Larkham revealed there is no timeline for back rower Charlie Cale's return after initially thinking the Wallabies hopeful would come back within four to six weeks of picking up a shoulder niggle on April 10.
"We just don't want to get ahead of ourselves. At this stage, there is every chance that he'll be back for us this year," Larkham said.
For the Force, Harry Johnson-Holmes and Vaiolini Ekuasi join the starting lineup while tighthead prop Misinale Epenisa is out with a concussion, and Marley Pearce joins the bench.
Elsewhere, the Reds welcome back fly-half Carter Gordon (knee) on the bench, along with Lachie Anderson (wrist) on the wing, as they look to cement their position inside the top six with a victory against the third-placed Chiefs on Friday.
Queensland will be without prop Aidan Ross (toe), with George Blake to replace him, while winger Tim Ryan is rested.
“’Ando’ made a solid return for UQ. He gets his chance on the wing this week,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said. “We are really happy with Tim’s form. He’s played massive minutes for us this year so we are able to rotate him this week. It shows the depth we have in the back three.
“Aidan has a toe issue. It’s a difficult one to assess but we feel it is a short-term issue. We have the experienced George Blake to come in there plus all that Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has given us in each game off the bench.
“Carter comes back on the bench. The squad has really benefitted from the depth we have at No.10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has been in excellent form and has grown his tactical acumen. Ben Volavola has also been a positive in recent games when showing his wares.”
