David Pocock has been named captain for the Brumbies' season-opener against the Reds at Canberra Stadium on Friday.
Both Pocock and hooker Stephen Moore missed the vast majority of 2014 after they underwent knee recontruction, but have successfully overcome their injury troubles as they headline a strong Brumbies match-day squad.
'We're pleased to see David back after battling succesive knee injuries and I'm looking forward to his performance tomorrow. Stephen is going to feature for us in the second half, he'll get 20 or 30 minutes', said coach Stephen Larkham.
Tongan flank Ita Vaea is another who makes a long-awaited comeback on the Brumbies bench, after a two-year battle with a heart condition. Apart from the comebacks, Larkham has handed debuts to lock Rory Arnold, and outside backs Lausii Taliauli and James Dargaville.
'He [Vaea] was pretty much retired this time two years ago, but he's pushed through and everyone is excited to see him back,' Larkham added. 'Then we've got the 2.08m Rory Arnold, who becomes the tallest player in Super Rugby history.'
South African twins JP and Ruan Smith have also been named on the Brumbies bench.
Brumbies – 15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Ita Vaea, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Lausii Taliauli.
Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
