First it was the mumps. Then injury. But the ACT Brumbies are refusing to make excuses as they aim to break a six-year New Zealand drought on Saturday.
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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has been forced to make several changes to his side for the clash against the Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton.
Folau Faingaa (foot) and Tom Wright (illness) have been ruled out, while Irae Simone and Bayley Kuenzle are back in the squad after being struck down by mumps last week.
Connal McInerney replaces Faingaa at hooker, while Lachlan Lonergan will make his Super Rugby debut from the bench.
Andy Muirhead replaces Wright on the wing with Toni Pulu being added to the bench for his first game of the year.
The Brumbes' preparations were thrown into chaos this week, with players being put in quarantine after an outbreak of mumps. Six players, coaches and staff have been affected.
Brumbies players had to be tested before leaving Canberra on Thursday morning and their club headquarters were sterilised in the hope of avoiding further infection.
But McKellar says the off-field drama won't be used as an excuse as the Brumbies chase their first win in New Zealand since 2014 and their first win in Hamilton since 2007.
"Everything over the past week has said a lot about the resilience of the organisation," McKellar said.
"We've got a lot of respect for the Chiefs. The last time we played them we beat them convincingly at home, so they'll be up for this one.
"But we're going over there to win, it doesn't matter what's happened before or in preparation."
MORE BRUMBIES NEWS
Simone and Kuenzle returned to training this week after being forced to miss the loss against the Highlanders last week.
Darcy Swain is still unavailable, but McKellar and assistant Peter Hewat have also overcome the mumps.
Players, coaches and staff were put in quarantine for five days after the Brumbies worked with Rugby Australia and ACT Health to develop an illness management plan.
Faingaa's toe injury added another complication to the Brumbies' preparations, although he is expected to miss just one game.
The try-scoring hooker has been managing the problem for the season and the Brumbies decided to rule him out this week to give him extra time to recover in the bye next week.
"Folau will be right to play the Sunwolves ... but Lachy Lonergan gets a chance to make his debut and Connal gets the start," McKellar said.
"We're very confident in Connal. He's had a really good 18 months and an excellent pre-season. He's confident and understands he's comfortable at Super Rugby, he's getting better and better.
"Lachy is just getting his career started, but he's showed what he's capable of. He's never going to be the biggest hooker, but he's a tough little bugger."
Lonergan will join a select group of brothers who have played together for the Brumbies, with older sibling Ryan to sit alongside him on the bench.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR
Saturday: Waikato Chiefs v ACT Brumbies at Hamilton, 5.05pm.
Brumbies team: 1. James Slipper, 2. Connal McInerney, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Caderyn Neville, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Toni Pulu