Brumbies try-scoring duo to reunite

SYDNEY - Last season's deadliest wing combination will be reunited for the first time this season while Wallaby back Matt Giteau will return to second five-eighth in the Brumbies' Super 12 clash with the Chiefs in Canberra on Saturday.

The Brumbies wing duo of Clyde Rathbone and Mark Gerrard combined for 19 tries in 2004, but have scored just one between them this year with each limited to a handful of appearances because of injury.

Ironically, the one try scored came when Rathbone was playing centre.

Rathbone, who has been sidelined with a knee injury, will return to the side on Saturday on the right wing, while Gerrard will shift from fullback to the left wing.

Gerrard has lined up at fullback this season, but will feature in a positional switch with youngster Ben Batger.

Super 12 rookie Batger will start in his more regular position as fullback, with right winger Henari Veratau expected to be omitted from the team announced tomorrow.

A mass of injuries have affected the Brumbies strike power this season.

No Brumby has scored more than three tries in 2005, with Giteau the only back to reach that tally, along with forwards Radike Samo and Scott Fava.

Giteau has spent a good portion of the season playing at five-eighth in place of the injured Stephen Larkham, but Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher said last week the gifted back would probably relish a return to inside centre, where he would have fewer responsibilities.

Fisher is expected to make at least one change to the pack which started against the Hurricanes last weekend.

Lock Mark Chisholm, who came off the bench against the Hurricanes, will return to the starting line-up.

Wallaby Samo is expected to make way for Chisholm with Fisher keen to give another starting opportunity to young lock Alister Campbell, who performed well against the Hurricanes.

Saturday's match represents the final Canberra Stadium appearance of long serving Brumbies back-rower Owen Finegan.

While the Brumbies retain a small mathematical chance of making the top four, Fisher has already conceded the Brumbies will miss out on the finals for the first time in six years.

However, he emphasised the need for the defending Super 12 champions to show pride and character in their last two games against the Chiefs and Queensland Reds, both of who will also miss out on the finals.

- AAP