Leali’ifano on Brumbies bench

Christian Leali'ifano is set to make his return to Super Rugby for the Brumbies in Friday's quarter-final against the Hurricanes in Canberra. 

The Wallabies flyhalf, who was diagnosed with leukaemia last August, made an emotional return to the game for the Brumbies against the Asia Pacific Dragons in Singapore last month.

Coach Stephen Larkham has reverted to most of the side that lost to the Reds in Brisbane a fortnight ago, with two enforced changes from that starting XV.

Season-ending injuries to Kyle Godwin at inside centre and Aidan Toua on the left wing will see Andrew Smith and James Dargaville start.

The Brumbies won the Australian conference despite losing nine of their 15 matches, and will go into their quarter-final as big underdogs, despite being the hosts.

Brumbies – 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani,12  Andrew Smith,11 James Dargaville, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Jordan Smiler, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter (c), 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23 Christian Leali'ifano.

Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

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