Super Rugby
Alexander back to bolster Brumbies scrum
June 25, 2014
Ben Alexander on the charge for the Brumbies, Queensland v Brumbies, Super Rugby, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 11 April, 2014
Alexander's return is a much needed boost for the injury-ravaged Brumbies © Getty Images
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Rested Wallabies prop Ben Alexander is back and feeling great. After three weeks on the slidelines he's ready once more to throw himself into the centre of a 1700kg scrum. The injury-depleted Brumbies finally received some positive news this week when tighthead prop Alexander was declared fit to play in Saturday's vital Super Rugby clash against the NSW Waratahs.

Having sat out the three-game series against France with a pinched neck nerve, the 62-Test prop will be critical in the frontrow battle against Wallabies Sepoke Kepu, Benn Robinson and Tatafu Polota-Nau. "I had an injection, which freed up all the pressure that was on that nerve and all the strength is coming back," Alexander said.

Alexander's timely return will beef up a Brumbies frontrow that will include the club's fourth string hooker following a season ending injury to Wallabies captain Stephen Moore. Competing to fill that No.2 jersey is Super Rugby journeyman Luke Holmes, fresh from Sydney club rugby, and back-up prop Ruaidhri Murphy. Whoever gets the nod will face a baptism of fire, with Alexander adamant the Waratahs will target the Brumbies' set piece.

"It would be silly not to, we're missing our three first choice [hookers]," Alexander said. "We expect they'll try and attack us there, but we're confident that if we do the work during the week, the person picked will do the job."

The Brumbies need to beat the Waratahs at Sydney's ANZ Stadium to have any chance of topping the Australian conference. With Moore sidelined alongside fellow Wallabies Joe Tomane, Sam Carter, Pat McCabe, David Pocock and possibly Matt Toomua, Alexander admitted there was a greater onus on the club's remaining fit representative players to stand up during the must-win clash.

"The senior blokes have definitely got to shoulder the load," he said. "But the way we play never relies on one person - it's a group effort."

© AAP

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