Injury has denied Wallabies prop Ben Alexander from setting a new Brumbies caps record in Saturday’s Super Rugby home clash with the Melbourne Rebels in Canberra.
Alexander was on course to make his 143rd appearance, eclipsing the mark he shares with legendary back rower George Smith, until he sustained an injury at training on Wednesday evening.
Nic Mayhew replaces him in the starting side for the Australian conference pacesetters, with back Nigel Ah Wong and forward Tom Staniforth coming onto the bench.
Brumbies team: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Aiden Toua, Wharenui Hawera, Joe Powell, Jordan Smiler, Chris Alcock, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter (capt), Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Nic Mayhew. Replacements: Robbie Abel, Faalelei SIone, Leslie Leulua’iai’i-Makin, Tom Staniforth, Jarrad Butler, De Wet Roos, Andrew Muirhead, Nigel Ah Wong.