Super Rugby
Brumbies' Ian Prior to start against Stormers
ESPN Staff
March 22, 2013
The Brumbies are looking good atop the Super Rugby ladder (video available only in Australia)
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Brumbies scrum-half Ian Prior will make his first start of the year, against the Stormers in Cape Town, as Nic White rests the shoulder he injured against the Sharks.

Prior spent plenty of time in the No. 9 jersey during the 2012 season, and he worked well with fly-half Matt Toomua during the win over the Sharks, supplying quick, clean ball after replacing White in the 13th minute. White, meanwhile, has been given extra time to prove his fitness to face the Stormers. Mark Swanepoel has flown to South Africa as cover, and he will fill the No. 20 jersey on the bench should White not be cleared.

Brumbies coach Jake White has made just one other change to his starting side, with Dan Palmer returning as tight-head prop and Ben Alexander moving to the bench. Scott Sio and Fotu Auelua retain their starting spots for the second leg of the tour, with Peter Kimlin remaining at lock and Ben Mowen blindside flanker.

"Last week's first-half performance was fantastic, but I'd like to see our guys build on that this week and continue to apply that sort of pressure for the entire match," White said. "It's no secret that the Stormers' defence is up there with the best in the world, and with players like Jean [de Villiers] and Juan de Jongh they can attack from anywhere too. Saturday is our biggest test so far this season.

"With 864 caps, we've got enough experience to win at Newlands. Guys like Clyde Rathbone, Christian Lealiifano, Ben Alexander, George Smith and Peter Kimlin have all won here before. Since the beginning of our season the aim has been to win every game we play. That's the mentality we have to bring on Saturday evening if we are a chance at beating the Stormers."

The Brumbies last played in Cape Town in 2010 when they defeated the Stormers 19-17, and they dominate the fixture overall with 10 wins, four losses and a draw. Since losing in 1998, they have lost just one game in Cape Town - 20-10 in 2008 - while the 2006 fixture was a 15-all draw.

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