A depleted ACT Brumbies are glad to have bullocking backrower Charlie Cale back from injury as they look to defend their unbeaten Super Rugby Pacific home record against the Highlanders.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham's selection misfortune was doubled when prop Blake Schoupp injured his shoulder in last round's clash with the Western Force, joining veteran James Slipper on the sidelines for their side's quarter-final.
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With his front row under-manned, Larkham was pleased Cale had overcome an ankle injury to return to an otherwise fully-fit forward pack.
"He's been really good for us this year and we weren't sure how the rehab was going to go over. He's progressed really well and trained fully yesterday and had no issues coming out of the day," Larkham said of the No.8.
"He's got good presence at line-out time, he's good in the wide channels with his ball-carrying, he's a very dynamic, athletic player, so trying to bring those qualities into the game as well.
"Hopefully there's still a hangover of the connection from the last time he was out there with the boys. We've had a fairly settled team throughout the whole year and Charlie has been a big part of that ... so hopefully those combinations come."
The Brumbies announced Cale has re-signed with the club until the end of 2025 season on a one-year deal.
"It's incredibly exciting, the contract process can be long but when it's done, I get to stay at a place I call home," said Cale.
"I love the Brumbies, I was born in Sydney, but I call this place home now, they took a chance on me and I'm forever graceful.
"I want to be here, and I want to be here for a long time."
The Brumbies go into Saturday night's clash with the Highlanders as strong favourites, having won each of their seven games in Canberra this season.
But Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody is undaunted by the challenge.
"We love travelling. We obviously have to do a fair bit of it from Dunedin but it's a good chance for our team to get tight ... and those connections hopefully can get us through the tough times that are going to surely come in this game," he said.
BRUMBIES (1-15): Harry Vella, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Jahrome Brown, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
