The Brumbies have revamped their backline ahead of their must-win Super 14 Week 12 Australian derby against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

Flyhalf Matt Toomua is the only player from Brumbies' last round loss to the Hurricanes to retain the same position, with inside centre Gene Fairbanks and Mark Gerrard returning from injury.

After missing two matches due to a hamstring strain, Gerrard resumes his role at fullback, while Fairbanks (groin) returns from a one-match lay-off to reunite with outside centre Tyrone Smith in the Brumbies' midfield.

Stirling Mortlock and Adam Ashley-Cooper shift from outside centre and fullback respectively to each take up a position on the wing, while Patrick Phibbs earns his fourth run-on start of the season at scrumhalf, replacing Joshua Holmes, who will start off the bench.

The Brumbies' forward pack remains unchanged with George Smith continuing his impressive run of 60 consecutive matches and further consolidating his second placing on the Brumbies' most capped list with 117 matches, one ahead of Stephen Larkham (116 caps) and 19 adrift of George Gregan (136).

While the Brumbies still have Mark Chisholm (wrist), Christian Lealiifano (hamstring), Clyde Rathbone (quadricep), Julian Salvi (ankle) and Guy Shepherdson (suspension) sidelined, Sitaleki Timani has been selected after recovering from a knee injury suffered against the Bulls a fortnight ago.

Timani has been named on the Brumbies' bench along with Holmes and Francis Fainifo, who both join the reserves list from last week's starting XV.

The two sides will compete for the Rod Macqueen Cup, a trophy the Brumbies have held since it's inception in 2005, having won 13 of the 14 matches against the Reds since 1996.

The Brumbies travel to Brisbane on Friday.

Brumbies: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Stirling Mortlock, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Gene Fairbanks, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Patrick Phibbs, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Peter Kimlin, 4 Ben Hand, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Nic Henderson, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Henry Vanderglas, 20 Joshua Holmes, 21 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 22 Francis Fainifo.

Date: Saturday, May 2
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19.40 (09.40 GMT)
Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
Touch judges: Matt Goddard (Australia), Andrew Lees (Australia)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)

365

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