Brumbies v Bulls: Teams

Brumbies will be without full-back Mark Gerrard for their 'must-win' clash with third-placed Bulls in Canberra.

Gerrard's precision kicking proved key to the Brumbies' victory over the Stormers last weekend but he suffered a hamstring strain in that match and has failed to recover in time.

Wallabies wing Adam Ashley-Cooper will wear the Brumbies' number 15 jersey for the first time this season with Stirling Mortlock taking his place out wide.

As a result, Tyrone Smith fills in at outside centre with Gene Fairbanks starting inside, but selection is further confused by the absence of winger Alfi Mafi with a groin problem.

Having initially named a 23-man squad coach Andy Friend has yet to confirm who will take Mafi's place in the starting XV.

Hopes were high that captain Stephen Hoiles would return from a four-week lay-off with a knee injury but he has not been named in the match-day 22.

George Smith continues with the armband.

Bulls make two enforced changes to the side that beat the Waratahs with flankers Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield missing out.

The former was hit with a three-week ban for striking following the 20-6 victory in Sydney while Matfield has returned to South Africa to be present at the birth of his second child.

It means coach Frans Ludeke brings Danie Rossouw and Wilhelm Steenkamp into the second row while hooker Derick Kuun is recalled in place of Chilliboy Ralepelle.

In the only change amongst the backs outside centre JP Nel rotates with Jaco Pretorius.

"We knew that Victor won't be available due to the birth of their baby and we support him 100 per cent, but Bakkies' unavailability wasn't expected," said Ludeke.

"However, Danie Rossouw and Wilhelm Steenkamp must do the job for us and I am fully confident that they will seize the opportunity on Friday."

ACT Brumbies: tbc

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez (c), 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gürthro Steenkamp.

Replacements: 16 Jaco Engels, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Deon Stegmann, 19 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 20 Heinie Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Jaco Pretorius.