Rugby: Halfback to leave Brumbies

Patrick Phibbs of the Brumbies (centre) passing the ball. Photo / Greg Bowker

Jake White's cleanout just keeps growing at the Brumbies, with stalwart halfback Patrick Phibbs the latest to be shown the door and two more backs set to follow.

Phibbs revealed on Thursday he was unwanted by new coach White, who was taking the bold move of running just two specialist halfbacks in his 30-man squad for the 2012 Super 15 season.

But it hasn't stopped present coach Tony Rea giving the 29-year-old a gilt-edged chance to push his claims for a NSW contract by calling him up to start tonight against Queensland.

Phibbs will team with skipper Matt Giteau in the halves, with the 91-test playmaker recovering from the fever which ruled him out of last week's 16-3 loss to the Stormers.

Regular starting halfback Josh Valentine - also unlikely to remain in Canberra next year, and winger Francis Fainifo - has succumbed to a hamstring strain, but Rea has preferred Phibbs ahead of the uncapped Nic White to attempt a Suncorp Stadium boilover.

Rising youngster White is the only halfback the franchise have on their books for 2012. It's understood Will Genia's Queensland back-up, Ian Prior, is in White's sights and is close to linking with the Brumbies.

Having already lost Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Mark Chisholm, Rocky Elsom, Mitchell Chapman and Salesi Ma'afu, winger Fainifo is expected to join the exodus by signing to play in France.

Having lost French-bound test halfback Luke Burgess, the Waratahs are in the market for a new No 9 and Phibbs is among the list of contenders which also reportedly includes All Black Andy Ellis.

Reds v Brumbies

Brisbane, tonight, 9.40

Ben Lucas
Luke Morahan
Anthony Faingaa
Ben Tapuai
Digby Ioane
Quade Cooper
Will Genia
Radike Samo
Ben Coridas
S. Higginbotham
James Horwill
Rob Simmons
James Slipper
Saia Faingaa
Ben Daley

Reserves: James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Jake Schatz, Ian Prior, Will Chambers, Dom Shipperley.

Pat McCabe
Henry Speight
Tyrone Smith
Christian Lealiifano
A. Ashley-Cooper
Matt Giteau
Patrick Phibbs
Ita Vaea
Julian Salvi
Mitchell Chapman
Mark Chisholm
Ben Hand
Ben Alexander
Stephen Moore
Jono Owen

Reserves: Anthony Hegarty, Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Peter Kimlin, Henry Vanderglas, Nic White, Robbie Coleman, Andrew Smith.

- AAP