Invercargill: They are the bench players with a point to prove and the ACT Brumbies reinforcements have promised to make sure standards don't drop against the Otago Highlanders.
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Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham pulled off a selection shake up this week when he rotated players in search of the spark to reignite their Super Rugby season.
Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Ruan Smith, Tom Staniforth and Nigel Ah Wong have started just two of a possible 40 games between them this year. Alaalatoa is the only one of them to have started a match this year.
They've formed a bond as the Brumbies' 'finishers' in the closing stages of games.
But Larkham has turned to them to play the defending champions, throwing them into the starting cauldron in the deep south of New Zealand.
Larkham says they deserve their chance and hooker Mann-Rea, who replaces co-captain Stephen Moore, says they want to repay the coach's faith.
"It's my first start of the year so it will be good to get a chance to run out with the team rather than coming on and making an impact," Mann-Rea said.
"We've lost two out of the last three so it's a big opportunity for guys who are pushing some minutes to add something to the starting team.
"Our job has been to bring a lot of energy in the back end of games and try to finish it off for us. Now we've got to bring that from the start."
Staniforth hasn't started a game since his Super Rugby debut more than two years ago, front-rower Smith's last opportunity was against the Highlanders in April last year, Ah Wong has started just two games in his career and Mann-Rea has had limited opportunities.
Larkham has made six changes to the starting team, with Moore and Joseph Tomane ruled out through injury, Ben Alexander not travelling to New Zealand as his his workload is managed, David Pocock returning from suspension and Scott Sio and Rory Arnold rotated to the bench.
It's the biggest shake up this year, with Larkham previously only using 20 players in his starting XV rotation for the first eight games of the season.
"It's a bit different for me, but it's good that some hard work has paid off. I guess I'll have more of an idea after the game," Staniforth said.
"I definitely feel ready and that I'm able to play bigger minutes, I'm confident in the work that I've put down and that goes for everyone who's getting their chance."
Larkham has picked a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench for the match, indicating he expects a brutal forwards battle.
Jarrad Butler shifts to No.8 with Pocock returning to openside flanker, while the Brumbies will roll out a brand new front row of Alaalatoa, Mann-Rea and Smith.
The Brumbies have suffered record losses to New Zealand teams the Waikato Chiefs and Canterbury Crusaders, but captain Christian Lealiifano is confident the past will count for little in Invercargill.
"Obviously it's a massive game, but we haven't thought about getting back on track. It's more just about improving our game," Lealiifano said.
"To get away together is nice. It's all about putting the process in place, we know what outcome we want and we want to work towards that.
"Nobody likes losing and when the group is able to relax and stay focused on getting better … that's the best way. If you're going to be down in the dumps and upset, there's time to do that. But it's a long year, we're back on the horse and you move on."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 10
Saturday: Otago Highlanders v ACT Brumbies at Invercargill, New Zealand, 5.30pm (AEST). TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2.
Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Robbie Coleman, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Nigel Ah Wong, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Jarrad Butler, 7. David Pocock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Tom Staniforth, 3. Ruan Smith, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Allan Alaalatoa. Reserves: 16, Robbie Abel, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Rory Arnold, 20. Blake Enever, 21. Jordan Smiler, 22. Joe Powell, 23. James Dargaville.
