Brumbies backline stars Stirling Mortlock and Adam Ashley-Cooper will return from lengthy injury breaks to face the Chiefs in Canberra tomorrow night.
Mortlock, who underwent shoulder surgery following the World Cup, returns to the outside centre position for his 100th Super rugby cap.
Ashley-Cooper will make his first
appearance since injuring his right ankle in round one against the Crusaders. The utility back will replace Mark Gerrard at fullback, who was ruled out after an MRI scan on a hamstring strain suffered against the Cheetahs a fortnight ago.
The return of the backline duo was welcome news for under-pressure coach Laurie Fisher as he looks to keep the Brumbies' season alive against the resurgent Chiefs.
"It's no secret you'd rather have your Wallabies on the field than on the sideline," he said.
"Both Stirling and Cooper are strong ball runners, they are very direct with the football and they'll give us a few more attacking options."
Halfback Patrick Phibbs replaces Joshua Holmes in another change to the starting backline.
The Brumbies' forward pack has also received a reshuffle with Alister Campbell and Guy Shepherdson promoted to the run-on side after making their comebacks from injury off the bench against the Cheetahs.
Shepherdson and No 8 Stephen Hoiles will play their 50th Super rugby match, while hooker John Ulugia receives his first start for 2008 after Huia Edmonds was ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing his forearm during training on Monday.
The Chiefs have named the same starting 15 that thrashed the Highlanders in Hamilton on Saturday.
Back-up halfback Jamie Nutbrown returns to the bench in place of David Bason in the only change to the 22.
BRUMBIES
Nic Henderson
John Ulugia
Guy Shepherdson
Alister Campbell
Mark Chisholm
Mitchell Chapman
George Smith
Stephen Hoiles
Patrick Phibbs
Christian Lealiifano
Francis Fainifo
Tyrone Smith
Stirling Mortlock (c)
Peter Playford
A Ashley-Cooper
CHIEFS
Mils Muliaina (c)
Lelia Masaga
Richard Kahui
Callum Bruce
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Stephen Donald
Brendon Leonard
Sione Lauaki
Tanerau Latimer
Liam Messam
Kevin O'Neill
Toby Lynn
Ben Castle
Tom Willis
Simms Davison Brumbies: Saia Faingaa, Salesi Maafu, Peter Kimlin, Julian Salvi, Joshua Holmes, Matt Toomua, Sanualio Afeaki.
Chiefs: Aled de Malmanche, Ben May, Jay Williams, Faifili Levave, Jamie Nutbrown, Dwayne Sweeney, Viliame Waqaseduadua.
