Lolo Fakaosilea, Scott Sio, Folau Faingaa, Faalelei Sione in Brumbies team
ACT Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has called on Lolo Fakaosilea to add punch to the forward pack on Friday night when his side attempts to end Melbourne's unbeaten star to the season.
Fakaosilea has been picked at openside flanker in one of several changes to the Brumbies' squad for what looms as an early-season test against the Rebels at AAMI Park.
Lolo Fakaosilea is back in the Brumbies' starting XV.
Photo: Rohan ThomsonWallabies prop Scott Sio will play his first game of the season, while Fakaosilea replaces Tom Cusack in the starting XV and Faalelei Sione, Folau Faingaa, Richie Arnold and Andy Muirhead have been added to the bench.
The Brumbies lost the physical battle against the Queensland Reds last weekend, prompting McKellar to shuffle his pack in search of a hard edge.
Faingaa is set to make his Super Rugby debut from the bench. The 22-year-old has already been touted as a future Wallaby by Test coach Michael Cheika.
Faingaa was called into Wallabies camp as a development player at the end of last year, despite being yet to make his Brumbies debut and only months after quitting his job as a concreter.
Sio missed the opening two games to overcome a calf injury, while back-up prop Sione has been called on to the bench to replace Ben Alexander.
Arnold returns to the team after being rotated out last week, while Royals premiership-winner Muirhead will be on the bench hoping to add to his eye-catching debut last year.
Muirhead scored two tries in three games after being plucked from Canberra's club rugby competition to play his first match in South Africa.
The Brumbies will be intent on getting confidence and momentum against the Rebels before they return to Canberra Stadium for their first game of the year on March 17.
The Rebels have scored two bonus-point wins to start their year, demolishing the Reds and the Japan Sunwolves to sit at the top of the Australian conference.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR
Friday: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7.45pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.
Brumbies: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Chance Peni, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Isi Naisarani, 7. Lolo Fakaosilea, 6. Lachlan McCaffrey, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Folau Faingaa, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Richie Arnold, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Wharenui Hawera, 23. Andy Muirhead.
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