Brumbies v Reds: Teams

Full-back Julian Huxley and outside centre Stirling Mortlock have been ruled out of the Brumbies' clash with the Reds at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

Back injuries have accounted for both players, meaning Brackin Karauria-Henry will make his first start after making his debut against the Waratahs last weekend.

The 21-year-old Australian Sevens representative will play off the left wing allowing Adam Ashley-Cooper to return to his preferred position at full-back.

Andrew and Tyrone Smith maintain their midfield partnership with Josh Valentine and Matt Giteau forming the halves.

The Brumbies forward pack remains unchanged from last week, however, while Jerry Yanuyanutawa returns to the 22-man squad for the second time this season off the bench.

Positive

The reserve backs have also received a shake up with Queanbeyan inside back Robbie Coleman in line to become the eighth Brumbies player to make his debut this season, with all eight involved on Saturday night.

Coleman's Australian Sevens team-mate, Ed Stubbs, returns to the bench after making his provincial debut for the ACT side against the Cheetahs three weeks ago.

Brumbies head coach Andy Friend says his side is ready for a big match against the Queenslanders.

"We said from the outset that one of the strengths of this side was its depth and that's certainly been tested this season," he said.

"The positive thing is that everyone who's come in to fill a vacancy has risen to the challenge and has shown that they are capable of playing Super 14 rugby.

"This is a great opportunity for Brackin and Robbie to get their first start and debut respectively.

"They've both played a fair amount of senior rugby at club level, with the Runners and the Australian Sevens side and they're very composed individuals who will make the most of this opportunity."

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie is without three first-team regulars for the trip to Canberra.

Lock Van Humphries (ankle), prop Laurie Weeks (foot) and wing Rod Davies (hamstring) had all been hopeful of being fit for selection but were ruled out on medical grounds.

"They're all desperate to get back onto the field but they're not right," McKenzie said.

Focus

"There's no point in lamenting injuries. You've just got to look at the opportunities for the guys coming in.

"We've been pretty fortunate in the last six or seven weeks, we haven't been too affected. There hasn't been a lot of opportunities around the fringes, so this is a good chance for Jack stepping in."

The match will also be the 50th Super Rugby appearance for former Brumbies hooker Saia Faingaa, having won 27 Super caps for the Brumbies and 22 for the Reds.

The Reds travel to Canberra having never beaten the Brumbies at home and having lost 14 of their 15 encounters, the only victory coming courtesy of a 19-18 win back in 1999.

However McKenzie said past records were irrelevant to the current group, which has its focus on the present and future.

"We've broken a couple of so-called hoodoos this year by not spending any time worrying about them and we're approaching this game the same way, as simply the next challenge we have to overcome," McKenzie said.

McKenzie has reverted to the familiar 4-3 split of forwards and backs on the replacements' bench after going forward-heavy for the recent games against South African opponents.

Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Brackin Karauria-Henry, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (capt), 7 Colby Faingaa, 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 Michael Hooper, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Ed Stubbs.

Reds: 15 Peter Hynes, 14 Brando Va'aulu, 13 Will Chambers, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (capt), 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Adam Byrnes, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Jack Kennedy, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Ezra Taylor, 19 Jake Schatz, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Luke Morahan.