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Rebels near full strength for season-defining clash with desperate Chiefs
By Online Editors
Melbourne have reinstalled their premier halves pairing Will Genia and Quade Cooper but have two Wallabies omissions for their must-win Super Rugby match against the Chiefs.
The Rebels have left out Test lock Adam Coleman (shoulder) for Friday night's AAMI Park match while winger Jack Maddocks has made way in a backline reshuffle.
Reece Hodge will replace Maddocks and Tom English will partner Billy Meakes in the centres, while Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete is also back in the starting side.
Melbourne coach Dave Wessels said Maddocks had a few niggles and also needed a mental refresh.
"He's a big part of our team but at this stage he's played a lot of rugby and there's some warning signs his body was starting to feel a bit fragile," Wessels said.
The Rebels currently sit eighth - and must at least hold that spot through the final round to play in their first finals campaign.
"It's showtime for us," said Wessels.
"We've got an opportunity to do something for the club that we've never been able to do so I think guys are pretty motivated."
The Rebels were crushed 66-0 last round by the front-running Crusaders but Wessels said his team had quickly put that "embarrassing" loss behind them.
Resting Genia and starting Cooper on the bench last round, Melbourne were always targeting the Chiefs match as the one to cement a playoff berth.
Currently 11th, the Chiefs are also in the finals hunt and require a bonus point win to assure themselves a spot in the top eight.
"When we first looked at the calendar this was a game that we thought we'd want to target," Wessels said.
"It's an opportunity to respond from last week ... I feel like we are going to play well on Friday night."
Rebels: Dane Haylett-Petty (c), Reece Hodge, Tom English, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Richard Hardwick, Angus Cottrell, Luke Jones, Matt Philip, Jermaine Ainsley, Anaru Rangi, Tetera Faulkner. Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Ross Haylett-Petty, Rob Leota, Michael Ruru, Matt Toomua, Campbell Magnay.
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Latest Comments
I think it was a better rugby destination for him.
He was developed in Melbourne and had a relatively brief stint there. I think he was possibly dropped out of the squad for the return of someone like To'omua (also a Melbourne local) in 2019 ahead of the RWC. But then he wasn't picked up by another Australian team and went to play in Japan when he only really seemed to play a hat full of top level games (maybe injured for long periods??) before he went on to Scotland. But it was only in Scotland that he started to get a lot of consistent game time and selection.
The thing is, no one talked about him being a missed opportunity in Australia before he left - a little like Mac Hansen. But he has been able to forge a top level career since leaving. Both men only had a handful (5 or 6?) games at Super Rugby level before they made a decision to leave (or had it made for them I suppose). Other countries have gone on to develop them and that is great for them and it is probably good for the global game as it means the best players are rising to the top - if not in their birth country than in another. I think there are a lot of issues with poor player development in Australia but I don't know if these two blokes are very good examples of it.
Go to commentsOk I understand. Give them my number please Nick.
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