Christian Lealiifano has narrowly missed out on inclusion in the Brumbies’ bench against the Reds.
Lealiifano has not played a top-flight match since being diagnosed with leukaemia in August last year, and was on the verge of being in the 23, but a hamstring niggle picked up in his final training session led the Brumbies to take a cautious approach with the flyhalf’s comeback.
The 29-year-old made his first appearance since the diagnosis in Singapore a fortnight ago, slotting five conversions in a big Brumbies win, before playing in Tuggeranong’s fourth grade side with brother Lix last weekend.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has been openly ambitious about Lealiifano’s return in 2017, saying at the start of the year that his captain could be in the mix for a finals berth.
Though Lealiifano is yet to play a Super Rugby game in 2017, he would be eligible to feature for the Brumbies in their knock-out quarter-final in Canberra on July 21, having been on the side’s roster since the start of the year.
While the playmaker won’t return, his 2016 halves partner Tomas Cubelli will play his first match of the year, after a preseason knee injury kept him out of the first part of the season.
Prop Ben Alexander has been named for his Brumbies games record-breaking match, facing off against the current holder in George Smith.
Reds hooker and Lealiifano’s former Brumbies co-captain Stephen Moore said Lealiifano has taught teammates and opponents alike a lesson.
“I’ve had a lot to do with Christian and played a lot of footy with him so I know the type of character he is,” he said.
“He will really lift the team, having him in and around the team again.
“It’s just wonderful to see him playing out there.
It’s incredible and it’s a big inspiration for everyone going through tough times or ill health.”
“He was always a very popular guy and a valued teammate before he got sick and the way he has fought through this has only enhanced that.”
The Brumbies travel to Brisbane to take on the Reds on Friday night, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
TEAM
Brumbies team to take on the Reds
IN: Scott Sio, Ben Alexander, Blake Enever, Tomas Cubelli, Andrew Smith
OUT: Nic Mayhew, Faalalei Sione, Tom Staniforth, De Wet Roos, Andy Muirhead
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
9. Joe Powell
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10. Wharenui Hawera
11. Aidan Toua
12. Kyle Godwin
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Tom Banks
Reserves
16. Robbie Abel
17. Ben Alexander
18. Leulua’iali’i-Makin
19. Blake Enever
20. Jarrad Butler
21. Tomas Cubelli
22. Nigel Ah Wong
23. Andrew Smith