Connal McInerney says Brumbies have 'no excuses' as Super Rugby Pacific ramps up

A heavy rotation for the Brumbies' round eight clash with the Fijian Drua in Brisbane on Saturday night could mark the last of its kind in their Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Because trans-Tasman rugby is on the horizon with six New Zealand-based franchises waiting for a chance to knock the Brumbies and Queensland Reds off the top of the table.

McKellar will look to strike a balance between keeping bodies fresh while also trying to secure a home final with a place in the top four, with the top eight sides advancing to a sudden-death finals series.

"Dan touched on it in a meeting, heading into this bye week 7-1, if we had have known that's where we'd be at, you'd probably take that any day," Brumbies hooker Connal McInerney said.

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"We're in a good spot, but he has also touched on the real competition kind of starts now with these Kiwi teams.

"We weren't up to scratch last year, we died down towards the end of the season and felt a little bit gassed, but with the rotation, not just in the hooker position but all positions, we've been able to keep guys fresh. There's obviously no excuses when we come up against those Kiwi teams, we're in a great spot."

The Brumbies are set to welcome back flyhalf Noah Lolesio and lock Cadeyrn Neville after the bye, but Jesse Mogg's season is hanging by a thread after he suffered a knee injury last week.

The Brumbies say Mogg could be back in six weeks but there are concerns his campaign could be over given the recovery period for a posterior cruciate ligament tear can take months.

McInerney will come off the bench for the Brumbies against the Drua on Saturday, with young gun Billy Pollard earning a start in an overhauled forward pack.

Test-capped duo Folau Fainga'a and Lachlan Lonergan are waiting in the wings, with competition for the two hooker roles set to ramp up following the bye.

"It's huge, we're out there trying to break each other's legs," McInerney joked.

"It's probably a good headache for the coaches to have, just knowing all four of us can do a job. We've got some real quality there, and for me personally it's just about trying to take the opportunity when it comes.

"It's just another opportunity isn't it? Especially with a dangerous Fijian side, they're not going to be rollovers. It's going to give guys the opportunity to play a good, tough game, and for the coaches to be able to choose their best 23 going forward.

"Everyone knows they're a great offloading team, they attack from anywhere. We saw it against the Tahs, they had about 15 phases in their own 22 and then after that they went 100 metres and scored. It's just about not switching off in those areas. For us, it's just valuing possession. We still haven't been clinical enough."

SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC ROUND EIGHT

Saturday: Fijian Drua v ACT Brumbies at Lang Park, 7.45pm. Broadcast live on Stan Sport.

Brumbies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Sefo Kautai, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Tom Hooper, 6. Ed Kennedy, 7. Luke Reimer, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Nic White (c), 10. Rod Iona, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Cam Clark, 15. Tom Wright. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Rory Scott, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Hudson Creighton, 23. Ollie Sapsford.

Drua squad: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Mesulame Dolokoto, 3. Samuela Tawake, 4. Viliame Rarasea, 5. Chris Minimbi, 6. Joseva Tamani, 7. Vilive Miramira, 8. Meli Derenalagi (c), 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Teti Tela, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 12. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 13. Apisalome Vota, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 15. Kitione Ratu. Reserves: 16. Tevita Ikanivere, 17. Timoci Sauvoli, 18. Jone Tiko, 19. Isoa Nasilasila, 20. Raikabula Momoedon, 21. Rusiate Nasove, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Napolioni Bolaca.

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