'He's as ready as he is ever going to be': Tom Hooper in line for ACT Brumbies debut against Crusaders

Is 21-year-old lock Tom Hooper ready for a clash with the all-conquering Canterbury Crusaders? The strength of the Brumbies system means McKellar has no doubt.

The Brumbies will be without scrumhalf Nic White [hip flexor], lock Cadeyrn Neville [shoulder] and winger Andy Muirhead [syndesmosis] for their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman opener in Christchurch on Saturday.

Hooper and outside back Solomone Kata are in for their first appearances this year. Ryan Lonergan starts at scrumhalf with Issak Fines-Leleiwasa on the bench.

Hooper has been named on the bench, with Darcy Swain and Nick Frost the starting locks. The Bathurst product could become Brumby No. 237, following James Tucker, Archer Holz, Rory Scott, Fred Kaihea, Sefo Kautai, Luke Reimer and Henry Stowers this year alone.

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Stowers, Scott and Reimer will also feature in the squad to take on the Crusaders in a major test of the Brumbies system.

"It certainly is. We always try to expose them when they are well and truly ready, and Hoops has been champing at the bit for a while now," McKellar said.

"He's as ready as he is ever going to be, so now it's just about getting him out there and exposing him to Super Rugby against the team that set the benchmark for a very long time.

"Big boy, big engine as well, for someone of his size he is certainly a very fit lock. It's a great experience for him to debut against some of the best locks in the world at the moment in [Scott] Barrett and [Sam] Whitelock."

The Brumbies' looming clash with the Crusaders marks the first time the clubs have met in more than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the rugby landscape.

The hosts are chasing their sixth title on the trot. The Crusaders won Super Rugby crowns from 2017-19 before claiming successive Aotearoa trophies.

The Brumbies are looking to avenge a Super Rugby AU final defeat last week and overturn a nine-game losing streak against the Crusaders.

McKellar believes "you need a week in between competitions moving forward if we're serious about player welfare", should domestic competitions run alongside a Trans-Tasman element next year.

But the short turnaround may be the best thing for his side, who will need to put finals heartbreak behind them as they embark on a three-week tour against New Zealand's top three teams - the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues.

"There is plenty of history between the two teams, going back to the late 90s and early 200s, and that has certainly continued in recent times," McKellar said.

"It's a game we have been looking forward to for a while. There's no great challenge in our eyes in rugby, in terms of going over to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders.

"We know they're human beings, if you put them under pressure, take away time and space, put some scoreboard pressure on, we will certainly be up for the challenge.

"We're going over there with the mindset to win, we're not just going over there with the mindset to compete.

"We're on the road for the best part of three weeks, it's what rugby is all about, overseas, playing international opponents in a country that loves, lives and breathes rugby union. It's a chance for us to get away and reconnect, and move on from Super Rugby AU.

"The best thing that can happen for us is we get on the road together. It's been a long time since we have had a long tour like this, back to 2019 when we had the Jaguares and Stormers on an around the world trip.

"It would have been difficult to dwell on last weekend's game for weeks on end. We're back in the saddle now, and it's a chance against the best."

SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN ROUND ONE

Saturday: Canterbury Crusaders v ACT Brumbies at Christchurch Stadium, 5.05pm. Broadcast: Live on Stan Sport.

ACT Brumbies squad: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Nick Frost, 6. Henry Stowers, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Mack Hansen

Canterbury Crusaders squad: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Mitchell Dunshea, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Sanders, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. George Bridge. Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Brendon O'Connor, 21. Ere Enari, 22. Fergus Burke, 23. Sevu Reece

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