Brumbies make dozen changes to Super side

Jul 13, 2017 - 1:31 AM Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has unashamedly rested most of his stars from Saturday's final round Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs, so they will be fresh for a home playoff game.

Larkham has made 12 changes to his side, with only winger Henry Speight, five-eighth Wharenui Hawera and flanker Scott Fardy retained from last week's run on team.

"Some guys who have played pretty much the whole year for us and most of the Test series, we're giving those guys a bit of a break this weekend," Larkham said.

"With six-day turnaround into a Friday night game in Canberra, we want to put everything into that game.

"We want to make sure those guys who have been putting in for us all year are nice and fresh coming into that game as well."

Larkham hadn't originally planned to make so any changes, but a spate of injures from last week's game contributed to the massive turnover.

Centre Kyle Godwin and winger Aidan Toua both suffered season-ending injuries,and lock Rory Arnold (shoulder) and flanker Chris Alcock (leg) were also hurt.

"Those (Arnold and Alcock) guys should be OK for next week." Larkham said.

Christain Lealiifano remained sidelined with his hamstring injury.

Larkham has rotated players right throughout the campaign.

"From a coaching point of view we wanted to be smarter this year," Larkham said.

"Making sure that the guys are nice and fresh and are motivated throughout the whole year and the whole squad is motivated."

One left field selection was the choice of young inside back Jordan Jackson-Hope who gets a first start in the unfamiliar role of fullback.

"Winning this week is very important for us, particularly with this young exciting group we've got going over there with a bit of an eye to the future,"' Larkham said.

":We want to make sure that these guys learn how to win, but for us the bigger picture is winning the Super Rugby competition.".

The Chiefs have decided to rest All Blacks Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane and Anton Lienert-Brown.

The Brumbies are set to play either the Chiefs or the Hurricanes in their playoff match, with Larkham rating them both among the most dangerous teams in the competition.

Source: AAP