The departing Bayley Kuenzle will fill in at flyhalf in his last game as a Brumby, with young gun Noah Lolesio to be rested against the Highlanders on Friday after copping a head knock in last week's win over the Hurricanes.
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Lolesio underwent an HIA last week, and despite being cleared to play on Friday, Dan McKellar and his coaching staff have opted to rest their star man.
It's opened the door for Kuenzle to take over at flyhalf in his Canberra Stadium swansong, before heading across the Nullarbor and joining the Western Force.
"Lolesio's just a minor injury from last week. . .he could've played if it was a grand final so we give BK an opportunity there at 10," McKellar said.
"He [Lolesio] had a big year so he's due for a freshen up."
Kuenzle's injection at flyhalf is one of several changes McKellar has made for the rampaging Highlanders, who need a win to have any chance of playing in next weekend's Super Rugby Trans Tasman final.
Wallaby Nic White returns for Ryan Lonergan at scrumhalf, while Tom Wright replaces Solomone Kata on the wing.
Irae Simone will start at inside centre to cover Kuenzle's move in closer to the scrum.
Tom Cusack and Folau Fainga'a have dropped out of the squad entirely, while Rory Scott returns at flanker as Luke Reimer drops to the bench.
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Fainga'a dropping out gives Brumbies Academy graduate Billy Pollard an opportunity to make his Super Rugby debut after being named as backup hooker to Lachlan Lonergan.
[He's a] good kid, very good footballer, came down straight out of Barker College into our Academy program and has worked really hard at his game and his physical development at set piece in particular," McKellar said.
"I've had him in mind for a number of weeks now and like any young player I want to expose them when they're ready and I think he's ready.
"It's a good chance for him to get a taste of Super Rugby and a little bit of motivation going into a really important preseason for him where he needs to just continue to work hard and develop."
The Highlanders have received a major selection boost with co-captain Aaron Smith returning at scrumhalf after being rested in last week's high-scoring win over the Waratahs.
"They tend not to rest any players against us which is good, we're aware of their threats and the core of their game is built around Aaron Smith," McKellar said.
"Defensively we've got to be strong, force them to play off slow ball and that limits Smith's impact. It all starts around the collision."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
