Try-scoring trump Charlie Cale returns at No.8 in a huge boost to the ACT Brumbies' prospects of a vital Super Rugby Pacific top-four finish.
The Brumbies are chasing a bonus-point victory over Moana Pasifika in Canberra on Saturday that could even secure a top-three finish and a home final in the national capital.
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Cale rejoins dual John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini and Rory Scott in the back row after enjoying an electric start to the season, scoring nine tries in seven matches before succumbing to a shoulder injury.
Allan Alaalatoa will resume the Brumbies captaincy, leading a forward pack that includes James Slipper and Billy Pollard in the front row and locks Lachlan Shaw and Cadeyrn Neville.
In the backline, Andy Muirhead has been named on the wing following a strong 2026 campaign across multiple positions.
The Brumbies need a bonus-point win to keep alive their top-three hopes.
"We've certainly got to focus on trying to win this weekend. We've picked a team that reflects that," coach Stephen Larkham said on Wednesday.
"We're not resting players. We've had a bye two weeks ago. All the players are nice and fresh.
"We had a good win over the Waratahs, and there was a lot of pressure going into that game.
"We knew that the result determined both teams' future in the competition and we're through, and there's a bit of relief out of that."
The Brumbies need the Crusaders to lose to the table-topping Hurricanes to snatch third or at least fourth spot.
The winners of next week's three quarter-finals, plus the highest-ranked losers, will advance to the semi-finals.
The sixth-placed Queensland Reds - Australia's only other finals hopefuls - host the Fijian Drua in Brisbane on Friday night, also trying to climb the ladder as high as possible.
“The Fijian Drua are a dangerous proposition. We are not in control of the permutations for the finals so all our focus is on addressing this game and getting the win,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.
“The Drua showed with their win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra how strong they are. They are extremely tough customers at the breakdown with the turnovers they force and everyone knows they can counter-attack from anywhere if you let them.
