Noah Lolesio will get a chance to stake his claim for Super Rugby selection when the ACT Brumbies throw him into the chief playmaker role for the first game of the year.
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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar will name two squads on Wednesday for trial matches against the Melbourne Rebels on Thursday night.
The Brumbies and Rebels have agreed to play two matches to ensure every player gets game time before the Super Rugby campaign begins next week.
Game two will feature Wallabies players from both clubs, with Lolesio given the job of steering the Brumbies' around in the No. 10 jersey.
Bayley Kuenzle will get his shot in the second half, while teenager Reesjan Pasitoa will play in the earlier of the two contests.
McKellar says the flyhalf position is still up for grabs for round one against the Queensland Reds, admitting he was still weighing up selection options.
Lolesio, 20, has spent the past 18 months in Canberra playing for the Tuggeranong Vikings and in the National Rugby Championship.
Keunzle spent last season getting first-grade experience in Sydney, while Pasitoa joined the Brumbies two months ago after finishing school in Brisbane.
All three are highly rated pivots with junior international experience, but they are yet to experience Super Rugby and will take on the giant task of trying to replace Christian Lealiifano.
"Noah Lolesio will get the first crack. Himself, Bayley and Reesjan have all gone really well," McKellar said.
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"Noah gets his opportunity ... we'll share it around there and see where it gets to.
"All three of them, we're really confident in them. Whilst between them they haven't played a game of Super Rugby, as a coaching group and as a team we're confident all three of them can step up to do the job.
"BK [Kuenzle] and Noah have been here a couple of years and know how we play, what's required of them, what the expectation is and how to direct us around the park.
"We're confident with all of those options, but ultimately one of them will get the gig and Thursday night will be important to see who steps up."
The Rebels' clash will be the first time Allan Alaalatoa has captained the Brumbies, while McKellar will also be testing a new second-row combination and giving speedsters time to shine on the wing.
Lachlan McCaffrey won't join the Brumbies until next week, but Pete Samu and Rob Valetini will be fit for the trial.
"We've had a really good pre-season. We understand we've worked hard and prepared well, now it's about getting a chance to do that in a match situation," McKellar said.
"The group is in a good place. Now we have to taper off and make sure we're fresh to play against the Reds [in round one]."
SUPER RUGBY TRIAL
January 23: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Greenfield Park, Albury. Game one at 3.45pm, game two at 6.15pm.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
January 31: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.