Scott Fardy dropped by Brumbies for Western Force clash
By Reuters
Last Updated: 08/03/17 11:10am
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has put his winless side on notice by dropping Wallabies forward Scott Fardy from his match-day squad for Friday's Super Rugby fixture against Western Force.
The 39-Test flanker was ineffectual in the Brumbies' 27-22 home loss to the Sharks on Saturday, a day after it was announced he would join Leinster at the end of the season.
Fardy's starting blindside spot will go to rookie Ben Hyne.
"That's a tactical decision, there's no injury there with Fards," said Larkham.
"That's just making sure that we maintain the motivation in the group and keep the energy out there in the field."
The Brumbies were the only Australian team to reach the play-offs last season but have gotten off to a dismal start in 2017.
They lost their opener away to the Crusaders and a third successive loss against the Force would put their hopes of reaching the post-season in jeopardy.
Larkham said he hoped Fardy's omission would encourage the other senior players to step up as the Brumbies seek to revive their season.
"We've got a few leaders but if you look at the game last week it was a little bit disappointing at the end," he said.
"With Fards out now I guess you look to the other senior players and you expect them to take a little bit more onus on the motivation and the performance and the motivation of the team."
Brumbies: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 James Dargaville, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell; 1 Ben Alexander, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Rory Arnold, 5 Sam Carter, 6 Ben Hyne, 7 Chris Alcock, 8 Jordan Smiler.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Leslie Luelua'ili'i-Makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Lolo Faka'osilea, 22 De Wet Roos, 23 Andrew Smith.
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Chance Peni, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Luke Morahan, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ryan Louwrens; 1 Pek Cowan, 2 Heath Tessman (c), 3 Tetera Faulkner, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Matt Philip, 6 Brynard Stander, 7 Kane Koteka, 8 Richard Hardwick.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Onehunga Havili Kaufusi, 20 Isi Naisarani, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Robbie Coleman.