Pat McCabe, Andrew Smith named in centres for Brumbies; Tevita Kuridrani on bench for Reds clash

PAT McCabe and Andrew Smith will start in the centres for the Brumbies against the Reds, with Tevita Kuridrani on the bench.

PAT McCabe and Andrew Smith will start in the centres for the Brumbies in their Super Rugby season opener against the Queensland Reds, with Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani to make his return from suspension off the bench.

Andrew Smith will start at outside centre for the Brumbies.

Wallabies inside centre McCabe was on Thursday named to make his return to top level competition after injuring his neck for a second time against the British and Irish Lions last July.

Kuridrani, who became the Wallabies' first-choice outside centre last season, will come off the bench as he hasn't played a game since receiving a five-match suspension for a tip-tackle in the Test against Ireland.

Coaches Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham have also given former Queensland Reds backrower Jarrad Butler the nod to play at No. 8 against his former teammates at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

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Butler will be joined in the backrow by skipper Ben Mowen and openside flanker David Pocock, who makes a long-awaited return to Super Rugby following a serious knee injury.

Sam Carter has overcome a calf injury and has been named to start alongside Wallabies forward Scott Fardy in the second row.

Brumbies: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Joe Tomane, Matt Toomua, Nic White, Jarrad Butler, David Pocock, Ben Mowen (c), Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio.

Reserves: Siliva Siliva, Ruan Smith, Ruaidhri Murphy, Leon Power, Lachlan McCaffrey, Conrad Hoffman, Tevita Kuridrani, Lionel Cronje.