Brumbies prop Scott Sio ruled out of Waratahs clash with injury

Prop Sio injured his hand last week and is out for at least two weeks, making the Brumbies' move to re-sign James Slipper even more important.

Slipper moves into the starting loosehead role again, while Connal McInerney retains the hooker duties in Faingaa's absence.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar expected Sio to miss just two weeks despite having a plate inserted in his hand to repair a broken bone.

"It's good opportunity for [Harry] Lloyd off the bench. He's a very good scrummager and we've given him some advice around general play," McKellar said.

"We're really confident in [Slipper and Lloyd]. Scotty got a whack on his hand making a tackle and played on.

"It's one of those injuries you could potentially keep playing with, but we took the conservative approach."

The Brumbies are also waiting on scan results for Toni Pulu, who has suffered another injury setback with his shoulder.

"I hope his luck changes sooner rather than later," McKellar said.

Faingaa has missed the past three weeks with a toe injury, but could be back next week.

The Brumbies are continuing to tinker with their team, despite a strong start to the season.

Andy Muirhead returns to start on the wing in the place of Toni Pulu and Joe Powell returns to the No. 9 duties.

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McKellar is yet to field the same side in back to back weeks this season, but it hasn't affected his team's form.

The Brumbies have won four of their first give games and can equal their best start to a season in 16 years if they topple the Waratahs.

The Brumbies have won five from the first six games just once since their title-winning season in 2004.

"We're just worrying about ourselves ... the boys have been really good, you can tell there's an edge about them," McKellar said.

"[The Waratahs] be up for it. They have to be. And we'll be up for it as well."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND SEVEN

Sunday: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.

Brumbies team: 1. James Slipper, 2. Connal McInerney, 3. Allan Alaatoa (cc), 4. Murray Douglas, 5.Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Will Miller, 8.Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10.Noah Nolesio, 11. Andy Muirhead 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Tom Banks, 19.Darcy Swain, 20. Tom Cusack 21. Ryan Lonergan 22. Bayley Kuenzle 23. Tom Wright.

Waratahs team: 1. Angus Bell, 2. Damien Fitzpatrick, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. Tom Staniforth, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Jack Demspey, 9. Mitch Short, 10. Will Harrison, 11. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 12. Karmichael Hunt, 13. Alex Newsome, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Kurtley Beale. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Tetera Faulkner, 19. Jed Holloway, 20. Pat Tafa, 21. Michael McDonald, 22. Lalkai Foketi, 23. James Ramm.