The Brumbies are overwhelming favourites to retain their Super 12 title and they start their campaign against the Reds in Sydney on Saturday.

They head into their Super 12 defence without vice-captain David Giffin. The Wallaby lock is out for the competition with a shoulder injury.

The Brumbies also suffered several major departures including Wallabies Roe Roff, Rod Kafer and Jim Williams. Dan Vickerman won the early race to replace Giffin and partner Justin Harrison in the second row.

The Reds are relatively injury free, but head into the 2002 campaign without veterans John Eales (retired) and hooker Michael Foley (coaching in England).

The Brumbies beat the Hurricanes 26-10 during the pre-season, while the Reds have struggled during the trials with a 60-26 loss to the Blues and a 26-19 loss to the Crusaders.

New Brumbies coach David Nucifora steps into the big shoes of new Wallaby coach Eddie Jones. The Brumbies became the first Australian side to win the Super 12 last year and the task is for Nucifora to repeat the effort and also to maintain the Brumbies' innovative style of play.

Nucifora and still relatively new Reds coach Mark McBain are both products of the Queensland University club in Brisbane.

Much will also be expected of the returning Pat Howard (pictured). The former Queensland and Wallaby inside back was a foundation Brumby before he headed to England to play with Leicester. Last year he was named European Player of the Year.

Like Mat Rogers with the Waratahs, all eyes will be on the Reds' high profile league convert Wendell Sailor. The former Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australian winger is sure to lift the crowds at Ballymore and he is sure to attract the attention of all opposition keen to test the former league glamour boy.

Reds supporters would like to see Wendell Sailor come through the game with his reputation intact after a strong performance and that his contract is worth every cent.

The Brumbies are rightly well backed to defend their title and despite some key losses still have the nucleus of the side that will play the same innovative style that has set them apart in recent years and there's every indication new coach Nucifora will keep the tradition alive.

The Reds will be more settled after one year with coach McBain, but it's hard seeing them pulling off an early upset on Saturday.

Teams for Bruce Stadium:

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

Reds: Nick Stiles, Sean Hardman, Glenn Panoho, Mark Connors, Nathan Sharpe, Matt Cockbain, David Croft, Toutai Kefu, Jacob Rauluni, Elton Flatley, Wendell Sailor, Steve Kefu, Daniel Herbert (capt), Ben Tune, Chris Latham. Substitutes: Tom Murphy, Fletcher Dyson, Mike Mitchell, John Rose, Junior Pelesasa, Andrew Scotney, Sam Cordingley.

Referee: Mark Lawrence (SA).