Brumbies go in search of their first away win

Brumbies flanker Jahrome Brown will make his first start as the side from Canberra begin their Super Rugby two-match tour with a fixture against the Stormers at Newlands this weekend.

The inclusion of Brown is the only change to the starting XV that defeated the Lions 31-20 at GIO Stadium with Murray Douglas and Wharenui Hawera being included on the bench.

Other than that, Head Coach Dan McKellar sticks with the same twenty-three that clinically dispatched the Lions in Canberra with, a five-try performance that delighted the home support and made it three wins in succession at their host venue.

It’s been a tough year on the road for the Brumbies though, who’ve yet to pick up a win away from the ACT, but confidence is high in the camp ahead of the clash with the South African Province, who come into the match off a terrific win in Melbourne against the Rebels last weekend.

Brown will pack down in a mobile and physical back-row alongside Tom Cusack and Pete Samu with the front-five bringing a wealth of experience, with the all-Wallaby front-row of Allan Alaalatoa, Scott Sio and Folau Fainga’a aided by Rorty Arnold and Sam Carter at lock.

The backs will be out to maintain the excellent form they showed against the Lions with Joe Powell and Christian Lealiifano pulling the strings at half-back, allowing Tom Wright and Tevita Kuridrani to expose any frailties in the Stormers midfield.

Out-wide, wingers Henry Speight and Toni Pulu are supported by Tom Banks, the latter pair both crossing for tries against the Lions and helping the team beat 41 defenders collectively, the team’s highest recorded tally since 2011.

The Brumbies record in South Africa in recent years has been good with the team recording five wins from their last seven matches in the Republic, scoring 25 points or more in four of those victories.