Brumbies co-captain Sam Carter admits he was surprised by Scott Fardy's axing but says Ben Hyne deserves his chance in Friday's Super Rugby clash with the Western Force.
Coach Stephen Larkham cited "tactical reasons" when he omitted hard-nosed Wallabies flanker Fardy from his team for the GIO Stadium match, with the Brumbies still seeking their first win after two rounds.
Asked if it came as a surprise, Carter said: "A little bit, but I guess that's Bernie (Larkham) and the coaches' decision."
Fardy was been among the Brumbies' best performers in the opening two rounds, with the 32-year-old's experience coming to the fore in a new-look squad without a raft of senior players who left at the end of last season.
"He's been good the first two matches but also Benny Hyne deserves his opportunity," Carter said.
"He's been playing fantastically for (feeder side) the Runners and he's been training really well all pre-season."
Carter said Fardy's omission showed everyone had to fight for their spot.
He said Hyne's lineout work had improved dramatically over the past six months.
"He's a player like Fards," Carter said.
"He's obviously not as experienced but he brings a lot of enthusiasm and physicality so I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do out there."
While the Force have made a solid start and lead the Australian conference, history will be against them in Canberra having not beaten the Brumbies since 2013 and not won back-to-back matches since 2014.
They will be without Wallabies lock Adam Coleman who has been ruled out for five weeks with a calf injury.
The Force beat the Reds 26-19 last week while the Brumbies suffered an agonising 27-22 loss to the Sharks after the siren.
"They're a good physical, defensive team," Carter said.
"I know if we get into a scrap with them it's going to be a tough match so we just need to play our own game."
Despite a winless start to the season, Carter insists the young group has not lost confidence.
"All the energy and enthusiasm is there," Carter said.
"There's great moments of play out there, I think it's just the consistency.
"I think it's playing for 80 minutes and making sure we don't let ourselves down in little crucial moments."
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