Former ACT Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles says ex-teammate Ben Alexander is almost the "forgotten man of Australian rugby", but his National Rugby Championship form shows his Wallabies Test career is far from over.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Alexander and Christian Lealiifano were two surprise omissions from Michael Cheika's Wallabies squad and while the Wallabies prepare for their World Cup final against the All Blacks in England, the pair were getting ready for the Vikings' NRC grand final against Brisbane City at Ballymore.
Hoiles said having two players of Alexander and Lealiifano's calibre in the NRC highlighted the strength of the Wallabies squad.
He said the way they'd immersed themselves in the Vikings showed the pair's character.
Hoiles said they were helping the development of the young players around them – both Super Rugby contracted and club players alike.
While Brisbane go into the decider undefeated, Hoiles favoured the Vikings because their forward pack was "Super Rugby-ready".
Alexander is a big part of that, especially given the 30-year-old has 72 Test caps under his belt.
"He is kind of like the forgotten man of Australian rugby really, he's played a lot of Test rugby, didn't get a look in at all in any of these [Wallabies] camps," Hoiles said.
"Hopefully he views it as his Test career's not over. He goes back and works on a few things and his form for the Vikings has been outstanding and next year I'm sure he'll have a lot of added motivation going into Super Rugby to get back in that Test team."
Vikings captain Jarrad Butler said last week's semi-final against the Melbourne Rising was the most physical game they'd played all season, but he was expecting it to lift another notch.
He said bringing that physicality again and starting well were the keys for the Vikings.
"I think Melbourne are one of the most physical teams in the competition and I think that was a really important test to have coming into a grand final," Butler said.
"We took a lot of confidence out of that game. It's a grand final, it's probably going to be even more physical again because of the occasion."
The Vikings have made just one change to their starting XV, with winger Jerome Niumata coming in for Lausii Taliauli (shoulder).
Prop Les Leuluaialii-Makin comes onto the bench in place of Tyrel Lomax.
Vikings coach Brad Harris opted for Niumata over former Brumbies flyer Francis Fainifo because of the latter's finishing ability.
Harris said Brisbane were the form side of the NRC, but the Vikings had a "quiet confidence".
"We pretty much hand the team over to them from now to game day and they take charge of leading the team," Harris said of his leaders such as Alexander and Lealiifano.
"They're really good communicators, they bring a very calm demeanour and are a really good influence on a lot of the younger guys."
NRC GRAND FINAL
Saturday: Canberra Vikings v Brisbane City ay Ballymore, 4pm. Live on Fox Sports 2.
Vikings squad: 1. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Robbie Abel, 3. Ben Alexander, 4.Rory Arnold, 5. Blake Enever, 6. Dean Oakman-Hunt, 7. Jarrad Butler (c), 8. Ita Vaea, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Jerome Niumata, 12. Rodney Iona, 13. Nigel Ah Wong, 14. James Dargaville, 15. Isaac Thompson. Reserves: 16. Albert Anae, 17. Sione Taula, 18. Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19. Michael Oakman-Hunt, 20. Rowan Perry, 21. Brent Hamlin, 22. Mitch Third, 23. Francis Fainifo.
Brisbane squad: 1. Matt Mafi, 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Sam Talakai, 4. Ben Hyne, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Luke Beauchamp, 7. Liam Gill (c), 8. Adam Korczyk, 9. Nick Frisby, 10. Jake McIntyre, 11. Junior Laloifi, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Samu Kerevi, 14. Chris Kuridrani, 15. Karmichael Hunt. Reserves: 16. Ryan Freney, 17. Markus Vanzati, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Corey Thomas, 20. Waita Setu, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Alex Gibbon, 23. Mika Tela.
