ACT Brumbies marquee recruit Matt Giteau has been named at flyhalf to take on the Western Force in Friday night's Super 14 season-opener in Perth.
Giteau has struggled with a quadriceps injury for the past fortnight and has managed only limited training sessions with his teammates.
Coach Andy Friend will put Giteau through a strenuous training run in Perth tomorrow before deciding whether or not the 27-year-old will play.
Matt Toomua is on standby to replace Giteau should he fail his final fitness test.
In other team news veteran Justin Harrison has beaten Ben Hand to a starting lock role, Ben Alexander and Rocky Elsom have both recovered from injury and will start while Pat McCabe has been named on a wing to make his Super 14 debut.
FRIDAY
Super14 Round One
ACT Brumbies v Western Force
At ME Bank Stadium, 10.05pm
TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2
ACT Brumbies team:
1. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Guy Shepherdson, 4. Mark Chisholm, 5. Justin Harrison, 6. Rocky Elsom, 7. George Smith, 8. Stephen Hoiles, 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Matt Giteau*, 11. Francis Fainifo, 12. Christian Lealiifano, 13. Stirling Mortlock, 14. Pat McCabe, 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper. RESERVES: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. Salesi Ma'afu, 18. Ben Hand, 19. Mitchell Chapman, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Tyrone Smith, 22. Alfi Mafi, 23. Afusipa Taumoepeau, 24. Matt Toomua.
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