Brumbies hardman Pat McCabe is playing too well to ask him to make way for returning Wallabies inside centre Christian Lealiifano, says director of rugby Laurie Fisher.
Lealiifano will make his Super Rugby return from the Brumbies’ bench against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on Friday night following a second round of ankle surgery five months ago.
Considered an automatic starter last season, Lealiifano now has to earn his spot back off fellow Test No.12 McCabe, who’s also battled his way back onto the park this year following a neck injury he re-injured against the British and Irish Lions last June.
McCabe has starred for the Brumbies in their four straight wins this season, providing stout midfield defence coupled with consistent carries over the advantage line.
“His form has warranted selection. He’s done exceptionally well for us, and he’s starting,” Fisher said.
“You’ve got a guy who is playing well and is in form, and you stick with that.”
However, Fisher added that Lealiifano would definitely get time in the middle.
“Christian really has played 60 minutes of club footy in the last three months,” he said.
“So we need to give Christian the opportunity to find his feet and he’ll do that with some good time off the bench.”
While on the paddock, McCabe and Lealiifano will pair up in the midfield alongside Tevita Kuridrani.
The Wallabies No.13 missed last week’s win against the Stormers due to a funeral in Fiji, but has been given the nod to rejoin the starting side, with Andrew Smith dropping back to the bench.
Kuridrani admits he’ll have a huge task keeping quiet a Rebels midfield that includes former All Blacks centre Tamati Ellison and solid No.12 Mitch Inman.
“They’ve got a really big midfield. But we’ve done our homework on them this week and we know what to expect,” Kuridrani said.