Captain Matt Giteau has been switched to the centres with Christian Lealiifano to play five eighth for the Brumbies in their Super Rugby clash with the similarly-struggling Cheetahs.

Giteau has worn the No.10 playmaker's shirt for the first eight matches as the Brumbies stumbled to a 2-6 win-loss record.

But Lealiifano swaps spots with the Wallabies veteran for the must-win match against the Cheetahs (1-8) in Bloemfontein on Friday night (Saturday morning AEST).

Halfback Patrick Phibbs gets his first start of the season with Josh Valentine dropping to the bench while the forwards will be boosted by the return from injury of hookers Stephen Moore and Huia Edmonds.

Elusive young centre Robbie Coleman returns to the team via the bench with coach Tony Rea saying strong club form with Manly had boosted his case.

Brumbies: Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Andrew Smith, Matt Giteau (capt), Christian Lealiifano, Pat Phibbs, Colby Faingaa, Michael Hooper, Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Peter Kimlin, Dan Palmer, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Huia Edmonds, Jono Owen, Ben Hand, Julian Salvi, Josh Valentine, Tyrone Smith, Robbie Coleman.

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