Rebels near full strength for season-defining clash with desperate Chiefs
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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Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
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