Brothers Tom and Lachie Hooper could play together for the first time as professionals for the Brumbies against none other than the British & Irish Lions on Wednesday night at GIO Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).
Tom, 24, who can play anywhere in the back five of the pack, featured for 12 minutes for the Wallabies in yesterday’s 21-18 win against Fiji in Newcastle. He returns to Canberra to play for the Brumbies for the final time on Wednesday ahead of a move to Exeter Chiefs in the off season.
Lachie, 21, has yet to win a Super Rugby Pacific cap, yet if he takes to the field during this game, he could line up alongside his brother for the Brumbies for the first time.
Head coach Stephen Larkham praised the development of both Hooper brothers and his team’s preparations for this tour match. Larkham was involved as an assistant coach with the club in 2013, when the Brumbies made history by becoming the first Australian provincial team to beat the British & Irish Lions for more than 40 years.
“It’s been amazing to watch the growth of both Tom and Lachie over the past few years. And it’s special that they may get the opportunity to play alongside each other in a Brumbies shirt on Wednesday night,” Larkham said.
“Not only that, but it’s against a world-class team in the British & Irish Lions, who tour our country only every 12 years. They’ll be chomping at the bit to contribute positively to the team.
“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. We’re under no illusions at the challenge that lies ahead, they are an incredibly strong and powerful side.”
Prop Lington Ieli, flanker Rory Scott, scrum half and captain Ryan Lonergan, centre David Feliuai and wing Corey Toole all start after recently being involved in the Wallabies camp in both Sydney and Newcastle, before returning to the Brumbies to train last week.
Lock Cadeyrn Neville starts against the Lions for the second time, having played against them for the Melbourne Rebels during the 2013 tour.
Wing Ben O’Donnell makes his first competitive appearance for the club this season, having torn his hamstring in a trial match with the Waratahs in February. This will be his last game for the club, leaving to join French D2 side Aurillac. Fly half Jack Debreczeni should also feature for the Brumbies for the final time after being named on the bench.
Andy Muirhead, who was announced as one of the first five players for the First Nations & Pasifika invitational team to take on the Lions at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday 22nd July, shifts from wing to fullback. Usually on the right wing, Muirhead featured in every single minute of our Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the only player in the competition to do so for their club.
Prop Cameron Orr has been drafted in by the Brumbies to play in this game and is named on the bench. Formerly of Gloucester, Western Force and Melbourne Rebels, Orr played in this year’s Major League Rugby competition in USA for Seattle Seawolves.
Buy tickets for our fixture against the British & Irish Lions on Wednesday here
Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies vs British & Irish Lions, Wednesday 9th July, kick-off 7.45pm
GIO Stadium, Bruce, Canberra
Starting XV
- Lington Ieli
- Lachlan Lonergan
- Rhys van Nek
- Lachie Shaw
- Cadeyrn Neville
- Tom Hooper**
- Rory Scott
- Tuaina Taii Tualima
- Ryan Lonergan (c)
- Declan Meredith
- Corey Toole
- David Feliuai
- Ollie Sapsford
- Ben O’Donnell**
- Andy Muirhead
Finishers:
16. Liam Bowron
17. Cameron Orr*
18. Feao Fotuaika
19. Lachie Hooper*
20. Luke Reimer
21. Harrison Goddard
22. Jack Debreczeni**
23. Hudson Creighton
*denotes Brumbies debut
**set to play their final match for the club