Brumbies v Crusaders - Super Rugby match preview
The Brumbies have recalled Dan Palmer for Sunday's Super Rugby encounter against the Crusaders at Canberra Stadium.
Last Updated: 03/05/13 5:10am
Palmer returns to the line-up at tighthead prop, with Ben Alexander moving across to loosehead.
Scott Sio drops to the bench with Ruaidhri Murphy omitted from the match-day squad.
The game will see George Smith become the most-capped Brumbies player, overhauling George Gregan's record of 136 appearance.
The Crusaders have axed New Zealand full-back Israel Dagg for the trip to Canberra.
Dagg has paid the price for his loss of form over the past month, with Robbie Fruean returning to the starting XV in a reshuffled back division.
Tom Taylor slots back to full-back, with Ryan Crotty shifting across to the No 12 jersey. Dan Carter and Andy Ellis are preferred at half-back to Tyler Bleyendaal and the benched Willi Heinz.
The only other change to the line-up comes up front, with Wyatt Crockett named at loosehead.
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 1 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 3 Dan Palmer, 4 Peter Kimlin, 5 Sam Carter, 6 Fotu Auelua, 7 George Smith, 8 Ben Mowen (c).
Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leon Power, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Pat McCabe
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Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Dominic Bird, 19 Jordan Taufua, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Israel Dagg.
What they said...
Brumbies head coach Jake White
"I've said before that by this point in the season we would like to be keeping more consistency in our selections and I suppose that is clearly reflected in the team we've picked today.
"Dan Palmer has been terrific in the scrum for us this year and we will be looking for a big performance from him.
"Brumbies v Crusaders has traditionally been one of the biggest games on the ACT sporting calendar, but the way scheduling would have it the fixture hasn't been played in Canberra for a number of years."
