Preview: Brumbies search for Super statement win in New Zealand
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The Brumbies head to New Zealand looking for their biggest scalp of the Super Rugby Pacific season, battling the fourth-ranked Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.
Instead of resting a swag of Wallabies like they did for their only other international trip, ending in a 35-17 loss to the Crusaders, they'll be near full strength with only back-rower Pete Samu and centre Len Ikitau missing.
It leaves coach Stephen Larkham keen to gauge his side's progress over their 7-1 start to the campaign, as they search for their second win of the season against a NZ side.
"We've got everyone available for the game, so there's certainly some excitement," he said.
"This is a test of where we're at right now, we've got to make sure that our preparation is as good as it can be between now and kickoff.
"(NZ sides) are well coached, they've got really good continuity, there's dangerous players across the park.
"They've probably got a little bit more depth and continuity than the Australian teams so the benchmark for us … is seeing how we can go over there and compete against these guys."
The Hurricanes have cruised to a 3-0 record against Australian sides with an average winning margin of 16.3 points, but haven't handled the Brumbies well in recent years having lost their last three meetings.
Hurricanes centres Jordie Barrett and Peter Umaga-Jensen will be a genuine test for the lesser-known ACT duo of Ollie Sapsford and Tamati Tua, while their veteran winger Julian Savea is bringing up his 150th club game.
It's also a tantalising clash of halfbacks with Wallabies hopefuls Nic White and Ryan Lonergan tasked with looking after Hurricanes No.9 Cam Roigard, who's jagged six tries in eight games this campaign.
Hurricanes named to take on the Chiefs:
1 Xavier Numia
2 Asafo Aumua
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 James Blackwell
5 Dominic Bird
6 Devan Flanders
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi
8 Ardie Savea ©
9 Cameron Roigard
10 Aidan Morgan
11 Salesi Rayasi
12 Jordie Barrett
13 Peter Umaga-Jensen
14 Julian Savea
15 Josh Moorby
Reserves
16 Dane Coles
17 Tevita Mafileo
18 Pasilio Tosi
19 TK Howden
20 Brayden Iose
21 Peter Lakai
22 Jamie Booth
23 Harry Godfrey
BRUMBIES ROUND 10 TEAM
1. James Slipper, Queanbeyan Whites
2. Billy Pollard, Uni-Norths Owls
3. Allan Alaalatoa (C), Uni-Norths Owls
4. Nick Frost, Queanbeyan Whites
5. Cadeyrn Neville, Uni-Norths Owls
6. Rob Valetini, Western Districts Lions
7. Rory Scott, Canberra Royals
8. Charlie Cale, Uni-Norths Owls
9. Nic White, Queanbeyan Whites
10. Noah Lolesio, Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Corey Toole, Gungahlin Eagles
12. Tamati Tua, Queanbeyan Whites
13. Ollie Sapsford, Uni-Norths Owls
14. Andy Muirhead, Canberra Royals
15. Tom Wright, Western Districts Lions
REPLACEMENTS
16. Lachlan Lonergan, Tuggeranong Vikings
17. Fred Kaihea, Queanbeyan Whites
18. Sefo Kautai, Canberra Royals
19. Darcy Swain, Tuggeranong Vikings
20. Luke Reimer, Western Districts Lions
21. Ryan Lonergan, Tuggeranong Vikings
22. Jack Debreczeni, Uni-Norths Owls
23. Ben O'Donnell, Western Districts Lions