Samu to bring up 50 games for Brumbies

Backrower Pete Samu will bring up 50 appearances for the Brumbies when the side travels to Hamilton to take on the Chiefs in round 12 of Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific, Friday 7 May, 5.05pm AEST.
 
Samu made 33 apearances in three seasons with the Crusaders before joining the Brumbies in 2019, adding a Super Rugby AU winners medal in 2020 to his two Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders in 2017 and 2018.
 
Samu will form an unchanged backrow from the Brumbies 42-25 win over the Hurricanes with Rob Valetini and Jahrome Brown. 
 
Indeed, head coach Dan McKellar has made just two changes to his starting side for Saturday evening’s clash at FMG Stadium Waikato, both coming in the front-row, together with skipper Allan Alaalatoa and lock Nick Frost returning in the finishers.
 
James Slipper rotates with Scott Sio at loosehead prop, with Folau Fainga’a also coming into the starting pack at hooker.
 
Sefo Kautai continues in the starting tighthead role against his former club, with Cadeyrn Neville and Darcy Swain the lock combination for the Brumbies first trip across the Tasman this season.
 
Nic White and Noah Lolesio combine in the halves, with the familiar pairing of Irae Simone and Len Ikitau starting in the centres.
 
The unchanged back-three of Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright and Tom Banks completes the starting side.
 
In the finishers, hooker Billy Pollard comes back into the matchday squad after an impressive outing for the Uni-Norths Owls in the Bentspoke John I Dent Cup.
 
Tom Hooper and Rory Scott will add to the impact of Pollard, Sio, Alaalatoa and Frost up front, with the Brumbies going with a ‘6-2’ split in the finishers for the first time in 2022.
 
Ryan Lonergan will have an important role to play off the bench at halfback with Ollie Sapsford rounding out the Brumbies matchday squad.

Brumbies head coach, Dan McKellar said: "We're happy with where we are at the moment but this will be our biggest challenge so far against a good Chiefs side who are tough to beat at home."

"It's great to have Frosty and Allan back and they'll have a big job to do off the bench.

"A big night as well for Pete playing his 50th game for the club and no doubt the lads will lift for him."

BRUMBIES TEAM FOR ROUND 11 OF SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC

1. James Slipper
2. Folau Fainga'a
3. Sefo Kautai
4. Darcy Swain
5. Cadeyrn Neville
6. Rob Valetini
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Pete Samu
9. Nic White (C)
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Andy Muirhead
12. Irae Simone
13. Len Ikitau
14. Tom Wright
15. Tom Banks
 
REPLACEMENTS
 
16. Billy Pollard
17. Scott Sio
18. Allan Alaalatoa
19. Nick Frost
20. Tom Hooper
21. Rory Scott
22. Ryan Lonergan
23. Ollie Sapsford
 
The Brumbies will take on the Chiefs in round 12 of Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton on Saturday May 7 at 5.05pm AEST,  live on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.