Prior, Palmer return to starting side for Brumbies

Mar 21 • Australia, General News, South Africa, Super Rugby, Super Rugby News • 2000 Views • Comments Off on Prior, Palmer return to starting side for Brumbies

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Jake White has made just two changes to his team which will face the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday, with Ian Prior named to start at scrumhalf for the first time this year and Dan Palmer returning as tight-head prop.

Prior spent plenty of time in the No. 9 jersey during the 2012 season and worked well with flyhalf Matt Toomua during last week’s win over the Sharks. He came on for Nic White in the 13th minute against the Sharks and played a key role in supplying the forwards with quick, clean ball.

After copping a bang to the shoulder, White has been given extra time to prove his fitness for the Stormers game. Mark Swanepoel was flown into South Africa on Monday as cover and will fill the No. 20 jersey on the bench should White not be cleared.

Palmer returns to the Brumbies starting side moving Ben Alexander to the bench. Samoan bash-brothers Scott Sio and Fotu Auelua retain their starting spots for the second leg of the tour with Peter Kimlin remaining at lock and Ben Mowen blind-side flanker.

“Last week’s first-half performance was fantastic, but I’d like to see our guys build on that this week and continue to apply that sort of pressure for the entire match,” White said.

“It’s no secret that the Stormers defence is up there with the best in the world and with players like Jean (de Villiers) and Juan de Jongh they can attack from anywhere too. Saturday is our biggest test so far this season.

“With 864 caps, we’ve got enough experience to win at Newlands. Guys like Clyde Rathbone, Christian Lealiifano, Ben Alexander, George Smith and Peter Kimlin have all won here before.

“Since the beginning of our season the aim has been to win every game we play. That’s the mentality we have to bring on Saturday evening if we are a chance at beating the Stormers.”

The last time the University of Canberra Brumbies played in Cape Town was 2010 when they managed to knock the Stormers over by just two points, 19-17.

Since going down in 1998, the Brumbies have lost just one game in Cape Town (2008, 20-10) while the 2006 fixture was a 15-all draw. Saturday is the 16th time the Brumbies will face the Stormers, with the overall record sitting at 10 wins, 4 losses and a draw for the ACT based side.

University of Canberra Brumbies
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore
3. Dan Palmer
4. Peter Kimlin
5. Sam Carter
6. Ben Mowen
7. George Smith
8. Fotu Auelua
9. Ian Prior
10. Matt Toomua
11. Joe Tomane
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Jesse Mogg

Replacements
16. Siliva Siliva
17. Ben Alexander
18. Scott Fardy
19. Colby Faingaa
20. Nic White
21. Robbie Coleman
22. Clyde Rathbone
23. Mark Swanepoel
(One player to be omitted)