Lonergan brothers start for the Brumbies against the Chiefs

ACT products Ryan and Lachlan Lonergan will become the first set of brothers from Canberra to start for the Brumbies when the team runs out to take on the Chiefs on Saturday night.

The pair will play hooker and scrumhalf respecitvely at FMG Stadium Waikato, the venue for both of their Brumbies debuts, Ryan in 2017 and Lachlan in last year's famous 26-14 win in Hamilton.

Younger brother Lachlan is the only change to the starting XV, wearing the number two jersey with Wallabies Scott Sio and skipper Allan Alaalatoa on either side of the front row.

Darcy Swain and the recently re-signed Nick Frost will get another chance to combine in the second row with Henry Stowers, Rory Scott and Rob Valetini the loose forward trio.

Ryan Lonergan will partner Noah Lolesio in the halves with Irae Simone and Len Ikitau the centre pairing.

After a strong return to Super Rugby last weekend, Solomone Kata will again start on the right wing with Tom Wright on the left and the in form Tom Banks at fullback.

Connal McInerney has fully recovered from a fractured fibula and will return to the side via the bench for the first time since the start of March with fellow Canberrans Tom Ross and Harry Lloyd the replacement props.

After an impressive debut in Christchurch, Tom Hooper will again get more minutes as the reserve lock with Tom Cusack returning to the the team after recovering from a leg injury for his 49th Brumbies appearance.

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will bring his trademark energy as the replacement scrumhalf, while playmaker Bayley Kuenzle has fought his way back into the team with Mack Hansen rounding out the match day 23.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "It's a great story to have the Lonergan brothers starting together for a Brumbies Super Rugby side in New Zealand."

"They're both great young men who come from a great family who grew up supporting the Brumbies and now they get a chance to pull on the jersey together at the place they made their debuts. It's really special.

"The side has had a good week of preparation and we're certainly excited by the challenge of coming to Hamilton to get a positive result on Saturday night."

BRUMBIES SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN ROUND TWO TEAM
1. Scott Sio
2. Lachlan Lonergan
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c)
4. Darcy Swain
5. Nick Frost
6. Henry Stowers
7. Rory Scott
8. Rob Valetini
9. Ryan Lonergan
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Tom Wright
12. Irae Simone
13. Len Ikitau
14. Solomone Kata
15. Tom Banks

REPLACEMENTS
16. Connal McInerney
17. Harry Lloyd
18. Tom Ross
19. Tom Hooper
20. Tom Cusack
21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
22. Bayley Kuenzle
23. Mack Hansen