Impressive rookie Colby Faingaa has forced veteran flanker Julian Salvi to the bench in the Brumbies team named for Friday's Super Rugby clash with the Crusaders.

Mitch Chapman returns to blindside flanker from his one-match suspension but it's openside flanker Salvi who makes way, with Faingaa switching to his position for the daunting assignment in Nelson, New Zealand.

New Brumbies head coach Tony Rea continued to keep faith with his team despite their second consecutive loss last week when beaten at home by the Reds.

He resisted the opportunity to recall classy backline utility Christian Lealiifano to the starting team after his impressive showing off the bench against the Reds in his return from a long injury lay-off.

Rookie inside centre Robbie Coleman will again line up alongside Wallabies star Adam Ashley-Cooper and he faces a big size mis-match in his clash with Crusaders star Sonny Bill Williams, who forms a giant centre pairing with Robbie Freuan.

Brumbies (15-1): Pat McCabe, Henry Speight, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Francis Fainifo, Robbie Coleman, Matt Giteau, Josh Valentine, Ita Vaea, Colby Faingaa, Mitch Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Ben Hand, Dan Palmer, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Huia Edmonds, Salesi Ma'afu, Peter Kimlin, Julian Salvi, Patrick Phibbs, Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano.

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