Form Rebels winger to sit out match with Stormers
Injured Wallabies back Jack Maddocks will miss Melbourne's Super Rugby clash with the Stormers on Friday night as the Rebels look to extend their lead at the top of the Australian conference.
Maddocks is among four changes to their starting XV for the AAMI Park match as they look to bank their first win this season over a South African opponent, which Rebels coach Dave Wessels described as a "mini milestone".
The Melbourne winger is out with a minor knee injury, with his place taken by Australian under 20s flyer Semisi Tupou.
"Jack's got tendonitis in his patella but he will be right to go next week," Wessels said.
"He's also played seven games in a row and a lot of minutes so we thought it was appropriate for him to have a rest.
"The decision is made a lot easier when a guy like Semisi trains as well as he does and played well in the minutes he had against the Sunwolves."
Lock Matt Philip has a bruised heel and hooker Anaru Rangi has an ankle issue, while prop Sam Talakai has been rotated into the starting side in place of Jermaine Ainsley.
Wessels said the injured trio could have played if pushed, but thought it was a chance to show faith in the wider squad.
The Rebels are gunning for a third successive victory to push out their seven-point conference lead over the second-placed NSW Waratahs, who have a bye.
Melbourne face NSW in Sydney the following round but Wessels said they couldn't afford to look ahead, with the Stormers more of a danger than their run of three losses suggested.
"I don't think the Stormers played particularly well against the Reds last week and I think they will be frustrated by that, which is dangerous for us," he said.
"They very nearly beat the Hurricanes and played well in large parts against the Blues so they're a good side.
"We haven't given much thought to the Waratahs as we've got a huge game this week."
Rebels: Reece Hodge, Semisi Tupou, Tom English, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Angus Cottrell (capt), Luke Jones, Adam Coleman, Ross Haylett-Petty, Sam Talakai, Robbie Abel, Tetera Faulkner. Reserves: Hugh Roach, Matt Gibbon, Jermaine Ainsley, Esei Ha'angana, Rob Leota, Richard Hardwick, Michael Ruru, Campbell Magnay.
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You forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time.
Go to commentsDanny don't care. He pretends to care but he don't. He says all this stuff to justify his reasoning but no one can claim that legitimately. He knew exactly what he was doing and wondered if his old team mate would overlook it, which he did. Ref has got to be sidelined or properly trained. It's one thing for refs to move up the ranks but if it was me I would require refs to either have played in different clubs or not at all having the temptation to bias in high stakes games like this. This has got to be stamped out. But then again World Rugby is so destroying the game of rugby in an attempt to be more “safe” and “concussion free”. What they are doing is making it more infuriating for the fans and more difficult for the refs to officiate evenly and consistently. It's fast become Australian Rules football. If guys don't want concussions, they should have played chess. Stop complaining you oldies of the game. When they played the game was vastly heavier hitting than it is now but of course they can't see that.
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