Brumbies likely to be fired-up for Finegan tonight

The Chiefs will need to beware a fired-up Brumbies keen to farewell the man called "Melon" in Canberra tonight.

Former Wallaby flanker Owen Finegan plays his final home game for the Brumbies before setting off to end his career at Newcastle in England.

The highest forward tryscorer in the Super 12, the rugged Finegan, who started life as a Waratahs bench player before making 55 test appearances and playing four Super 12 finals for the Brumbies, is a popular and influential figure at the franchise.

He, and they, will want to make it a decent sendoff, especially as the defending champions are out of semifinal contention.

"It's going to be a bit of a buzz," said the 33-year-old. "Every time I've run out on to Canberra Stadium I've enjoyed it and knowing this will be my last time ... it will be a real sentimental game."

The Chiefs have won only once in Canberra, in 1999. They have stuck with the same team which beat the Stormers last weekend, apart from recalling seasoned Adrian Cashmore at fullback, and moving Sosene Anesi to the wing in place of Sailosi Tagicakibau, who broke a leg in the Stormers game.

"We are pretty focused on another big away game," Chiefs coach Ian Foster said. "The Brumbies may not have a good away record this season but we know they will be a serious challenge on their home ground."

Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher has made a stack of changes, but the most important was forced on him.

Test openside George Smith is out with injury, opening the door for 19-year-old Julian Salvi, an Australian Schoolboys captain.

* Canberra, tonight, 9.40 Ben Batger

BRUMBIES

Clyde Rathbone
Stirling Mortlock (c)
Mark Gerrard
Matt Giteau
Sam Norton-Knight
Matt Henjak
Jone Tawake
Julian Salvi
Owen Finegan
Mark Chisholm
Alister Campbell
Nic Henderson
Jeremy Paul
Bill Young.

CHIEFS

Adrian Cashmore
Sosene Anesi
Niva Ta'auso
David Hill
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Stephen Donald
Byron Kelleher
Steven Bates
Marty Holah
Wayne Ormond
Jono Gibbes (c)
Bernie Upton
Ben Castle
Scott Linklater

Reserves:

Michael Collins Brumbies: David Palavi, David Fitter, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Tamaiti Horua, Luke Burgess, Gene Fairbanks, Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Chiefs: Aleki Lutui, Deacon Manu, Sean Hohneck, Sione Lauaki, Kevin Senio, Mark Ranby, Keith Lowen.