Brumbies switch Slipper to solve prop loss

Brumbies veteran James Slipper will shift from his usual loosehead role to tighthead with the Super Rugby AU side desperately short on props ahead of Friday night’s clash with Western Force.

Slipper, who is returning from a knee injury for the GIO Stadium match, will be joined up front by former Force prop Harry Lloyd for his first start this season, with Test star Allan Alaalatoa still suspended and Tom Ross injured.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has also rushed Waikato’s Sosefo Kautai onto the bench after only joining the team this week.

“James has got up for this game and he will play tighthead and he’s got a lot of experience there so he will do a good job for us,” McKellar said on Wednesday.

“Big Sefa (Sosefa) Kautai has been involved in the Chiefs and Waikato program the last few years and has turned up in really good shape and has impressed us so we will see how he goes.”

Coming off a tight loss to the competition-leading Reds followed by the bye, Jahrome Brown is the new No.7 with Tom Cusack ruled out with a shoulder injury and halfback Nick White taking over the captaincy from Alaalatoa.

The Force have made two changes with veterans Rob Kearney and Richard Kahui out through injury, with Jack McGregor and Marcel Brache the new faces.

McGregor will start at fullback with Brache on the wing.

The winless Waratahs have made sweeping changes as they look to breathe some life into their ailing season against Queensland at Stadium Australia on Saturday night.

NSW coach Rob Penney has made seven changes to his starting team, welcoming back inside centre Izaia Perese from suspension to partner Lalakai Foketi.

Lock Sam Wykes has been promoted to the starting side while there have been two forced changes to the backrow with Wallabies Jack Dempsey and Lachlan Swinton both ruled out with foot injuries.

Carlo Tizzano starts at openside flanker, while Hugh Sinclair moves to blindside flanker and Will Harris makes his return from injury at No.8.

The Reds have also rung four changes with Ryan Smith making his starting debut at lock, with Seru Uru at No. 8.

Test players Filipo Daugunu returns to the left wing, while hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa is back in the starting side.