Dan McKellar says the ball is in Bayley Kuenzle's court as he looks to stake his claim for a place in the starting XV for the ACT Brumbies' finals tilt.
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Kuenzle will make his first start of the season at inside centre in the Brumbies' clash with the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.
A tight hamstring will keep Irae Simone sidelined for the Brumbies' final regular season match, opening the door for Kuenzle to get a start in what McKellar sees as his best position.
Sunday marks the Brumbies' last hit-out before they host a qualifying final at Canberra Stadium in a fortnight, giving Kuenzle one rehearsal for a starting spot.
It's a chance he is determined to make the most of with a Wallabies-capped centre in Simone set to come knocking in the finals.
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"Bayley Kuenzle has been superb over pre-season and deserves a chance," McKellar said.
"It's good for guys like him and Reesjan [Pasitoa] who have worked hard. He gets his chance on Sunday afternoon to push his claim.
"I'm sure he'd like to stay there and start in the semi, so the ball is in his court now. He has worked hard and put himself in a good position to perform well."
Kuenzle impressed when he was catapulted into the No. 10 jersey last year to fill the void left by Noah Lolesio, who missed the bulk of the Super Rugby AU season with a hamstring injury.
The 22-year-old started in six matches and guided the Brumbies to a minor premiership which in turn secured a grand final on home soil, with Lolesio returning to steer the club to a drought-breaking title.
But the Brumbies will have to do things the hard way this year with the Queensland Reds locking up first place and a home final in controversial fashion last week.
Yet McKellar's side will relish the challenge of winning a title on the road should they earn a place in the decider with a former Junior Wallabies representative desperate to make a statement on the way there.
"I think [Kuenzle] did a great job for us last year at 10, but he is a natural 12 for me," Kuenzle said.
"He plays that second link role really well, he has an excellent skill set, his catch and pass is very good. He's also a good size, strong in contact with or without the ball, he brings a real presence in and around the breakdown.
"There's a lot to like about him as a 10 but I think long-term 12 is his position."
Simone will return to the fray for the qualifying final on May 1, which will be the Brumbies' first home game in five weeks.
Pete Samu will also be in the frame for selection, having been left out of the squad to face the Rebels with a shoulder injury picked up during a clash with the Reds last week.
"If it was a grand final [Simone] would play, or even a semi-final, but it's not, although they're all important games," McKellar said.
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND NINE
Sunday: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, 2pm. Broadcast: Live on Stan Sport.
ACT Brumbies team: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. James Tucker, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Bayley Kuenzle, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. James Slipper, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Will Miller, 21. Nic White, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Mack Hansen.
Melbourne Rebels team: 1. Matt Gibbon, 2. James Hanson, 3. Pone Fa'amausili, 4. Robert Leota, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Joshua Kemeny, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Michael Wells, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Matt To'omua (c), 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Campbell Magnay, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Frank Lomani, 15. Tom Pincus. Replacements: 16. Jordan Uelese, 17. Cabous Eloff, 18. Cameron Orr, 19. Lucio Sordoni, 20. Ross Haylett-Petty, 21. Isi Naisarani, 22. Brad Wilkin, 23. James Tuttle, 24. Lewis Holland, 25. Glen Vaihu.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
