Inside centre Irae Simone has recovered from a bout of the mumps and will start for the Brumbies in one of three changes to their Super Rugby team to face the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Coach Dan McKellar has barely changed his team who faced the Highlanders last Saturday, suggesting they have largely got on top of a mumps outbreak that forced a handful of players to miss the loss in Canberra.
The Brumbies promised to take a vigilant approach to the virus ahead of Saturday’s game, saying they wouldn’t fly anybody across the Tasman who wasn’t completely well.
A press release on Thursday announcing the team didn’t provide any update on the health of the players and coaching staff.
Reserve back Bayley Kuenzle is another player reportedly sidelined by the mumps last week who has been recalled.
However, lock Darcy Swain was still missing, having been a late scratching from the Highlanders game after contracting the viral infection.
Hooker Folau Fainga’a, who scored a hat-trick of tries from lineout drives last week, is out with a toe injury. Connal McInerney will start in his place, with reserve hooker Lachlan Lonergan in line for a Super Rugby debut against the competition leaders.
After three bench appearances, Andy Muirhead is named to start on the wing in place of Tom Wright. Reserve winger Toni Pulu has shaken off an ankle injury and could make his first appearance of the season.
It will be a relief to Rugby Australia and SANZAAR if the mumps outbreak has been quelled.
After consultation with ACT Health, they sought proof from every Brumbies player and staff member that they had been immunised or suffered from the mumps.
The Brumbies’ three opponents this season – the Reds, Rebels and Highlanders – have not reported any cases of the mumps.
A Highlanders spokesman told AAP all of their players were believed to be immune through vaccinations or previous exposure but they had nevertheless taken precautions after learning of the outbreak.
BRUMBIES: Tom Banks, Solomone Kata, Tevita Kuridrani, Irae Simone, Andy Muirhead, Noah Lolesio, Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Will Miller, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Murray Douglas, Allan Alaalatoa (capt), Connal McInerney, James Slipper. Res: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Tom Ross, Nick Frost, Lachlan McCaffrey, Ryan Lonergan, Bayley Kuenzle, Toni Pulu.
