Brumbies coach David Nucifora has given new recruits Scott Fava and Dan Vickerman a chance to press their claims for selection in the starting team a week out from the start of the Super 12.

Nucifora has named Fava at No 8 while Vickerman will line-up in the second row alongside Justin Harrison for the trial against the Hurricanes in Hastings on Friday night.

Fava, who played with Queensland last year, is vying with Peter Ryan for the No 8 spot left vacant by the departure of Jim Williams.

Vickerman, a former Springbok under-21 player, is hoping to snare the second row spot ahead of David Pusey. Regular second rower David Giffin will miss the entire season through injury.

From Sydney, the powerfully-built Fava had two seasons with the Queensland Reds but was unable to earn a regular starting berth there before switching to the Brumbies this year.

He started last year's Super 12 at openside breakaway for the Reds but was ousted by the speedy David Croft and is probably better suited to No 8 or blindside breakaway.

Brumbies coach David Nucifora said not too much should be read into the selections. However, it's obviously a big test for Fava and Vickerman in their one match against a Super 12 rival before the title defence gets underway.

The Hurricanes also named a near full strength line-up with a potent backline including All Blacks Christian Cullen, Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga and Pita Alatini.

"As yet we haven't faced any professional opposition," said Nucifora. "We've been pleased with the way we have been going lately at training and in the first trial, but until you are put under this type of pressure it is hard to know where you stand.

"We'll have less time in both attack and defence which will really put our decision making to the test.

"It's the right time to play this sort of game."

Teams:

ACT Brumbies: Andrew Walker, Mark Bartholomeusz, Stirling Mortlock, Pat Howard, Graeme Bond, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (capt), Scott Fava, George Smith, Owen Finegan, Dan Vickerman, Justin Harrison, Ben Darwin, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young. Substitutes: Adam Freier, Angus Scott, David Pusey, Peter Ryan, Travis Hall, James Holbeck, Scott Barton, Damian McInally.

Hurricanes: Christian Cullen, Lome Fa'atau, Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu, Pita Alatini, David Holwell, Jason Spice, Jerry Collins, Kupu Vanisi, Paul Tito, Luke Andrews, Campbell Feather, Tony Coughlan, Andrew Hore, Gordon Slater (capt). Substitutes: Jason Hooper, Shane Carter, Tony Penn, Milton Ngauamo, Brent Thompson, Brendan Haami, Riki Flutey, Shannon Paku, Daryl Lilley.