With just three rounds remaining Super Rugby AU has four teams firmly in the race for a top-three finish. Just four points are separating first-placed Brumbies and the fourth-placed Rebels, with the Reds second on 16 points and Waratahs third on 15.
The Brumbies host the Waratahs today in Round 8 of the Super Rugby AU competition at 11:15 am SA time.
The Brumbies walked off the field with a 24-23 victory against the Waratahs in round three of the Super Rugby AU earlier this year and comes off a bye last weekend. The Brumbies only loss during the competition was in round 6 when they lost to the Rebels with 30-12.
The Waratahs come off a great win against the Force (28-8) last weekend and are three points behind the Brumbies on the competition log.
Waratahs coach, Rob Penney has gone with the same match day 23 that ran out winners in Round 7 over the Western Force, albeit making some changes to his starting side.
Ned Hanigan - who will earn his 50th cap for the Waratahs - returns to partner Rob Simmons at lock, who has recovered from a stiff neck that saw him leave the field early in the second half at CBUS Stadium.
Harry Johnson-Holmes also makes his way back to the starting side to reunite the all Sydney University front row alongside Tom Roberson and Tom Horton.
Joey Walton also makes his way back into the starting XV outside Karmichael Hunt in midfield as Lalakai Foketi returns to the bench.
The Waratahs backrow of Hooper, Swinton and Dempsey will continue at the back of the scrum after a string of strong performances on and off the ball in recent weeks.
WARATAHS: 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Tom Horton, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Ned Hanigan, 5. Rob Simmons (c), 6. Lachie Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Alex Newsome, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Joey Walton, 14. James Ramm, 15. Jack Maddocks. Replacements: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Te Tera Faulkner, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Hugh Sinclair, 21. Mitch Short, 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Lalakai Foketi.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has made nine changes to the starting XV.
2018 Junior Wallabies halves Ryan Lonergan and Bayley Kuenzle will partner together for the first time in Brumbies colours after Lonergan made a successful return to the playing field as a replacement two weeks ago.
96-Test front-rower James Slipper slots back into the starting side after missing the side's last match against the Melbourne Rebels and is joined by pathways product Connal McInerney, who earns his first start at hooker of the new competition.
Skipper Allan Alaalatoa will again hold up the tighthead side of the scrum.
The second row sees Murray Douglas and Cadeyrn Neville combine for the first time in Vodafone Super Rugby AU, with the latter making his return to the field after recovering from an ankle injury.
A new backrow in 2020 has vice-captain Lachlan McCaffrey at blindside flanker, with the dairy farmer form Berry, Will Miller at openside and the dynamic Pete Samu at no.8.
In the backline, Irae Simone will again wear the number 12 jersey and will be partnered by the powerhouse, Solomone Kata, who gets his first chance in the centres after playing on the wing so far in 2020.
Tom Wright celebrates re-signing with the club earlier this week with a return to the starting side and will be joined by the Andy Muirhead and fullback Tom Banks in the back three.
Promising local youngster Lachlan Lonergan has forced his way back into the matchday 23 as replacement hooker with Wallaby Scott Sio and another Canberra product, Tom Ross the finishing props.
For the first time in 2020, McKellar has gone with a 6/2 split on the bench with Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini and Tom Cusack providing the remaining cover in the forwards.
Wallabies Rugby World Cup number nine Nic White is in line for his first match in Brumbies colours since 2015 and his 68th overall for the club after re-joining the squad in July following five seasons in France and England. The elusive Len Ikitau rounds out the matchday 23.
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "It's really exciting to see some individuals who have worked hard and performed well get an opportunity this week."
"We pride ourselves on our depth and having a whole squad mentality here at the Brumbies and we're confident we've picked the best side to get the job done on Saturday night.
"The Waratahs appear to be full of confidence coming into this game and to say we're excited about the challenge would be an understatement."
BRUMBIES: 1. James Slipper, 2. Connal McInerney, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Murray Douglas, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Lachlan McCaffrey, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Solomone Kata, 14. Andy Murihead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Rob Valetini, 21. Tom Cusack, 22. Nic White, 23 Len Ikitau.
Opta Facts:
The Brumbies have won eight of their last nine Super Rugby games against the NSW Waratahs (L1), including their last five on the bounce – their longest ever winning streak against them.
The NSW Waratahs have won their last two Super Rugby games heading into this fixture; the last time they won more than two consecutive games was a three-game stretch from June to July in 2018.
The Brumbies have both scored the most (5) and conceded the fewest (1) tries of any team in the final quarter of their games in Super Rugby AU.
The NSW Waratahs have made more clean breaks (9) and offloads (8) per game than any other team in Super Rugby AU, despite having the lowest time in possession per game this season (15m 18s).
Tom Horton (NSW Waratahs) has a lineout throw success rate of 93% (39/42) in Super Rugby AU, the highest of any player to have made at least three throws.