Brumbies regain key star for crucial Super Rugby clash
Melissa Woods |
A “confident” Noah Lolesio has ticked all the boxes after his serious back injury, with the Wallabies playmaker suiting up for the Brumbies in their critical Super Rugby Pacific match against the Crusaders.
Queensland also have Josh Flook returning to face Fijian Drua in the final round, with the Wallabies centre not playing since injuring his hamstring in round three, while the Waratahs will head to Auckland without skipper Jake Gordon.
Chasing their first top-two finish since 2004, the Brumbies and Crusaders are both in the mix heading into their clash in Canberra on Friday night.
The Chiefs are on top of the ladder with 46 points, followed by the Crusaders (45) and the Brumbies (43), with four points on offer for a win.
A top-two finish is rewarded with a home qualifying final and most like a home semi-final.
Lolesio was stretchered from the field earlier this month in a neck brace with initial fears he had suffered a spinal injury but Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said the 25-year-old was raring to go.
James O’Connor has been included on the Crusaders bench, with both players looking to impress ahead of Wallabies selection for the upcoming Lions series.
“Noah responded extremely positively to treatment,” Larkham said.
“He got through his rehab and trained really well the back end of last week. He’s confident heading into this weekend and it’s great to have him back in the side.”
In other Brumbies line-up changes for the GIO Stadium match, prop Feao Fotuaika and Tuaina Taii Tualima come into the starting line-up, with Tom Hooper moving to the second row to accommodate the latter at No.8.
Flook is looking to celebrate a contract extension with a Reds victory over the Drua on Saturday night, with the home side getting an extra dose of strikepower with Tim Ryan starting on the wing.
The Reds have selected an unchanged pack, with Seru Uru, who also signed a new one-year deal this week, still sidelined with a knee injury.
With a finals berth secured, Queensland could finish as high as fourth if they win and the Hurricanes, who play Moana Pasifika, lose.
The NSW Waratahs’ hopes of snapping a 16-year losing streak at Eden Park suffered a blow with halfback Gordon unable to recover from a hamstring strain.
Hard-working flanker Charlie Gamble (calf) has been replaced by Jamie Adamson while Test winger Andrew Kellaway has recovered from illness to relegate Darby Lancaster to the bench.
The Waratahs need the win, and other results to fall their way, to sneak into the finals and will have to rely on a rookie halves pairing.
Coach Dan McKellar has opted for Jack Bowen ahead of Tane Edmed to partner No.9 Teddy Wilson.
“Jack, along with Teddy Wilson, had a huge impact last week under pressure with his calm, direction and vision in attack,” McKellar said.
“He has earned this start with his consistent hard work throughout the season in both training and his game time off the bench.
“This is a big game with a lot at stake. He is ready for a big game opportunity like this.”
The Western Force have the final-round bye.
AAP
