Unchanged Brumbies await Jaguares
The Brumbies pack is set for a monumental challenge against the Jaguares at the Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires, with the Argentineans priding themselves on their physicality at the set-piece and enjoying the battle at scrum-time.
Prop Ben Alexander will equal the Brumbies all-time record number of caps when he takes to the field for the 142nd time, levelling the mark set by legendary flank George Smith. Alexander lines up in an experienced front-row alongside Josh Mann-Rea and Alan Alaalatoa, who was man of the match against the Kings.
Captain Sam Carter will lead the club on their first foray into Argentina with most of the Brumbies squad, except for a handful of Australian internationals, never having tasted the ferocity of rugby in the country and ready for what is likely to be a baptism of fire.
The Jaguares will be playing the fourth of five consecutive home matches and come into the game fresh having had the bye in Round 13. They have won five and lost two of their home fixtures this season with both defeats coming in the last three outings, as the Sharks and Force came away from South America with victories.
In the backs, Tom Banks stays at fullback whilst Aidan Toua continues on the left wing, both having crossed the try-line in the 19-10 success in South Africa. On the bench, there is another opportunity for Andy Muirhead who became Brumby number 195 seven days ago.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Aidan Toua, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Jordan Smiler, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter (captain), 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Leslie Leulua'iali'i-makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 De Wet Roos, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Andrew Muirhead.
Date: Saturday, May 27
Venue: Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires
Kick-off: 18.40 (21.40 GMT; 07.40, Sunday, May 28 AEST)
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant referees: Federico Anselmi, Jose Covasi
TMO: Santiago Borsani
