The Brumbies have named a 28-man squad including a number of Wallabies for their final pre-season match against the Highlanders in Wagga on Saturday.
In the forwards, Scott Fardy, Ben Alexander and Sam Carter will all make their first appearance of 2015 with Fardy on return from injury.
The backs have been bolstered by a large contingent of Wallabies including Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight, Joe Tomane and Matt Toomua.
Coach Stephen Larkham said the team are eager to prove themselves before the start of the official Vodacom Super Rugby season.
'This is an important match for us and the players are keen to put their pre-season training into practice and make a big impression on Friday night,' said Larkham. 'We have a good mix of experienced internationals and up-and-coming players in the team who will all be looking for a win prior to the season.
'The Highlanders are always a tough side to beat so it should be an entertaining game of rugby.'
The Brumbies will kick off their Super Rugby season on Friday, 13 February with a home match against the Reds.
Brumbies squad – Allan Alaalatoa, Ben Alexander, Rory Arnold, Jarrad Butler, Sam Carter, Robbie Coleman, James Dargaville, Michael Dowsett, Sean Doyle, Blake Enever, Scott Fardy, Rod Iona, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, David Pocock, Scott Sio, Jordan Smiler, Jean-Pierre Smith, Ruan Smith, Henry Speight, Tom Staniforth, Lausii Taliauli, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Ita Vaea, Mitch Wade, Nic White.
Highlanders – 15 Trent Renata, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Shaun Treeby, 12 Jason Emery, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Scott Eade, 8 Nasi Manu (c), 7 Shane Christie, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds.
Subs: 16 Sam Adnerson-Heather, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Joe Latta, 21 Dan Pryor, 22 John Hardie, 23 Josh Renton, 24 Lima Sopoaga, 25 Teihorangi Walden, 26 Michael Collins, 27 Ryan Tongia.
Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
