Halfback Patrick Phibbs has been challenged to speed up the Brumbies game as they search for their third win of the season on Friday (Saturday morning, Sydney time).
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Phibbs will get his first opportunity in the starting XV for the Brumbies' clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. He will take over the halfback duties from Josh Valentine in one of six changes coach Tony Rea has made to his starting line-up.
The Brumbies will also temporarily abandon their rotating five-eighths system as Rea searches for stability not versatility.
Brumbies supporters have been frustrated with Valentine's slow delivery from the breakdown. Rea wants Phibbs to play a fast-tempo style in the Brumbies' first match against a South African side this season.
''It's about getting the ball out quickly. It's about not slowing it down,'' Phibbs said. ''Both backs and forwards have been challenged with that, to get it out. For a number of reasons we haven't been playing particularly quickly at the base of the ruck … We'll split [Phibbs and Valentine] game time so they can get conditioned to a faster game.''
Chris Dutton
