EXPERIENCED scrumhalf Joe Powell has been recalled to the starting side for the ACT Brumbies' round nine Super Rugby AU showdown with the Western Force at GIO Stadium tomorrow night.
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Powell is the only change to the starting XV, featuring Berry's Will Miller, with coach Dan McKellar choosing to keep the same forward pack that defeated the Waratahs last Saturday night.
Wallabies prop James Slipper and skipper Allan Alaalatoa will again pack down with hooker Connal McInerney in the front-row, while Cadeyrn Neville caps off a big week after re-signing with the club, pairing with Murray Douglas in the second row.
The back-row sees Lachlan McCaffrey starting at blindside flanker with Shoalhaven product Miller wearing the number seven jersey and last week's man of the match, Pete Samu anchoring the back of the scrum.
Powell will partner Bayley Kuenzle in the halves with the dangerous pairing of Irae Simone and Solomone Kata holding down the midfield.
After bagging another two tries last week Tom Wright remains on the wing with fellow try-scorer Andy Muirhead on the other edge and the elusive Tom Banks at fullback.
Wallaby Folau Fainga'a makes his return to the match-day squad as replacement hooker with Scott Sio and Tom Ross the finishing props, McKellar opting to return to a 5/3 bench with Darcy Swain and Rob Valetini the other forward finishers.
After making a successful return in Brumbies colours last week, Nic White will again get an opportunity off the pine alongside promising young playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa and the hard-hitting Len Ikitau.
"It's great to have Joey back in the squad this week, he provides a lot of leadership and he'll bring a lot of energy on the field," Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.
"The Force have been on the road a long time now and we know they'll be coming down here and throwing everything at us and we'll be ready for that Friday night."
