David Pocock returns for Brumbies' Super Rugby quarter-final
By Reuters
Last Updated: 22/07/16 11:41am
Wallabies forward David Pocock returns from a six-week injury lay-off for the Brumbies' Super Rugby quarter-final against the Highlanders on Friday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 8.55am.
Pocock is named at openside flanker for the Canberra clash, his first outing since he fractured an eye socket in the June Test series against England.
A hugely influential player for province and country, Pocock's return is a major boost for Brumbies but they have lost towering Test lock Rory Arnold to an elbow injury.
Blake Enever comes into the second row in his place while the pacy Robbie Coleman replaces James Dargaville on the left wing as the Brumbies look to upset the odds and keep the Australian flag flying into the semi-finals.
The Highlanders have co-captain Shane Christie returning at openside flanker after he recovered from an illness that sidelined him for two games.
Christie, who replaces James Lentjes, is one of two changes to Jamie Joseph's starting side for the match at Canberra Stadium.
Liam Squire, who made a surprise debut for the All Blacks against Wales in June, has been promoted from the bench and takes over at No 8, with Luke Whitelock moving to lock.
The Highlanders head into the play-offs in ominous form after upsetting the high-flying Chiefs 25-15 in Dunedin last week.
They take on a less-inspiring Brumbies side who ground out a scrappy 24-10 win over lowly Western Force to qualify for the post-season.
Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Nigel Ah Wong, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Robbie Coleman, 10 Christian Leali'ifano (co-capt), 9 Tomás Cubelli; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Stephen Moore (co-capt), 3 Ruan Smith, 4 Blake Enever, 5 Sam Carter, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 David Pocock, 8 Jarrad Butler.
Replacements (one to be omitted): 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Michael Wells, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 James Dargaville, 24 Lausii Taliauli.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-capt), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Matt Faddes, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2 Ash Dixon, 3 Josh Hohneck, 4 Tom Franklin, 5 Luke Whitelock, 6 Elliot Dixon, 7 Shane Christie (co-capt), 8 Liam Squire.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Te Aihe Toma, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Rob Thompson.