Brumbies defy Michael Cheika to name trio for club game

The ACT Brumbies have defied Australia coach Michael Cheika by naming David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa in their team for tomorrow’s Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves.

Cheika had requested the Wallabies trio be rested as the match against the Japanese team in Canberra falls just six days before the opening test of Australia’s series against Joe Schmidt’s Ireland.

The Brumbies, however, are engaged in a battle to arrest a worrying decline in crowd numbers and were reluctant to rest three of their best players for an afternoon match they hope will attract 15,000 fans.