Brumbies v Highlanders: Teams

Departing Brumbies flanker George Smith has been cleared to play in his farewell appearance at Canberra Stadium against the Highlanders on Saturday night, but fellow stalwart Stirling Mortlock misses out.

Mortlock, who will join the Melbourne Rebels next year after 13 seasons with the Brumbies, has failed to overcome the back complaint that has kept him sidelined for over a month.

The former Brumbies and Wallabies captain, who trained with the side on Thursday, was due to start the match on the bench if cleared to play however Ed Stubbs now comes in.

Smith, who plans to continue his career overseas at the conclusion of the Super 14 season, has been sidelined for the past six weeks with nerve damage to his shoulder.

Faithful

The veteran of 126 Super rugby appearances over 11 seasons with the Brumbies has been rushed straight into the starting line-up for the season-defining clash against the Highlanders.

The Canberra-based club must win their remaining two clashes against the Highlanders and Crusaders to make the semi-finals, and could potentially host a home final if several other results fall in their favour.

Coach Andy Friend stressed the importance of sending the veteran duo out on a winning note in front of the Brumbies faithful.

"Stirling and George have been tremendous warriors for the Brumbies for more than a decade," Friend said.

"They've made a significant contribution to the success that this side has tasted over the years and it would be fitting to send them off as winners on Saturday night.

"We'll see how Stirling pulls up tomorrow but we'd love him to be able to join George on the field for their farewell match in front of a big crowd at Canberra Stadium.

"We were pleased with our last performance against the Reds but realise that we need to build on that and find that level of consistently if we are to stay alive in this competition.

"I'm confident that we can do that and we'll be looking to send off George and Stirling in the appropriate manner this season."

Meanwhile, the return of fly-half Matt Toomua from a knee injury has forced a major reshuffle of the Brumbies backline.

Matt Giteau, who produced a man-of-the-match performance at fly-half in last week's win over the Reds, will start at inside centre, with Tyrone Smith moving to outside centre and Andrew Smith shifting to the wing.

Lynn out

Ben Smith will slot in at centre for the Highlanders as the New Zealanders look to derail the Brumbies' semi-final hopes.

Smith, 23, was a left-field selection, as a wing or full-back, for the All Blacks' 2009 end of year tour where he played against Italy in Milan.

Injury has forced regular centre Kendrick Lynn out after he suffered a groin strain in the Highlanders' 25-10 victory over the fifth-placed Waratahs in Invercargill last week.

Prop Clint Newland has a back strain and he joins half-back Sean Romans, All Blacks lock Tom Donnelly, hooker Jason McDonald, and utility Michael Hobbs on the sidelines.

Bronson Murray replaces Newland at tighthead prop with Keith Cameron moving onto the bench. Canterbury flyer James Paterson takes Smith's right-wing spot.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has opted not to recall vice-captain Jamie Mackintosh from a toe injury, who will turn out for Woodlands in Southland club rugby.

Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Andrew Smith, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (c), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Mitchell Chapman, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Brackin Karauria-Henry, 22 Ed Stubbs.

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 James Paterson, 13 Ben Smith, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Peter Mirrielees, 17 Keith Cameron, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 John Hardie, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Jayden Hayward.