Lealiifano returns to Brumbies squad for quarter-final clash

by Matthew Wood Tuesday 18 July 2017

Brumbies have confirmed the inclusion of Australia international Christian Lealiifano in the matchday 23 squad for the quarter-final clash against Hurricanes on Friday.

This will also be the 29-year-old's first appearance in almost a year after he was earlier diagnosed with leukaemia and another hamstring injury that he sustained two weeks back delayed his comeback.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham stated that the former Waikato centre showed promising signs during the training session on Monday that forced his inclusion in a critical game.

"It would be a gamble if I thought he wasn't right to play," said Larkham.

"But the way that he's trained with the team over the last three months gives me a fair indication that he's ready to play."

Andrew Smith and James Dargaville are handed starts by Larkham in the absence of Kyle Godwin and Aidan Toua. However, Brumbies will be left with an uphill task as no Australian team has defeated a New Zealand side in this season in 26 attempts.

Brumbies squad to face Hurricanes:

15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Andrew Smith, 11 James Dargaville, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Rory Arnold, 5 Sam Carter (c), 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Chris Alcock, 8 Jordan Smiler.

Replacements: 16 Robbie Axel, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23 Christian Lealiifano.