Understrength ACT Brumbies eye ‘big opportunity' against British & Irish Lions
ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham will only be able to count on one of his Wallabies players when they take on the British & Irish Lions on July 9.
– Coach Stephen Larkham said on July 7 that the ACT Brumbies have a 'big opportunity' against the British and Irish Lions, but admitted they face a tough task with a team stripped of key Wallabies.
The Brumbies are the strongest of Australia's four Super Rugby sides and will take heart from the Lions' struggles to grind past an understrength NSW Waratahs 21-10 at the weekend.
They were also the only provincial team to beat the tourists when last in Australia in 2013, stunning Warren Gatland's men 14-12.
But they will take on the might of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in Canberra on July 9 without their top players.
Eight Brumbies were in the Australia team who needed a last-gasp try to beat Fiji 21-18 on July 6, and seven of them will not feature.
They include veteran forwards James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa, along with first-choice Wallabies backs Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright.
Only lock Tom Hooper, who came off the bench, will play.
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'The boys have been back in training for a couple of weeks and they are aware of how big an opportunity this is for them to take on the Lions,' said Larkham.
'We're under no illusions of the challenge that lies ahead. They are an incredibly strong and powerful side.'
Hooper's brother Lachlan was also included in the Brumbies squad, with the pair set to play together for the first time in a professional capacity.
Prop Lington Ieli, flanker Rory Scott, scrum-half Ryan Lonergan, centre David Feliuai and wing Corey Toole all start after recently being involved in the Wallabies training camp.
Lock Cadeyrn Neville will face the Lions for the second time, having played for the Melbourne Rebels during the 2013 tour.
Meanwhile, Lions coach Andy Farrell said places in the Test side for the series against Australia were still up for grabs despite his selection of what looked close to a first-choice team to play the Brumbies.
'I understand the speculation, but the truth of the matter is we've got a good side that's going to take the field on Wednesday,' he said on July 7.
'I'll tell you guys what I said to the team this morning, that there's always going to be speculation, but it's up to people to put the best foot forward for a Test spot.
'Players can play themselves in and play themselves out at the same time, but at the same time, what we're looking for is a cohesive team performance and that's at the forefront of what we're trying to achieve.'
English lock Maro Itoje returns as skipper after being rested for the unconvincing victory over the Waratahs, as does Scottish fly-half Finn Russell.
Russell's compatriot Blair Kinghorn survives from the side who played the Waratahs but will switch from the wing to his more familiar fullback role at Canberra Stadium. AFP, REUTERS
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