Wallabies hooker to make return against Japan Wolfpack
Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese will take a step closer to a return to Super Rugby action when he lines up for the Rebels' second team against Japan's Wolfpack.
The AAMI Park match is a curtain-raiser to Melbourne's Super Rugby match against the Bulls on Friday night and is Uelese's first game back on home turf since his knee reconstruction almost a year ago.
Uelese, who suffered the injury on the eve of the Ireland Test series, returned in Sydney club rugby last weekend for Gordon where he played 60 minutes.
"It took the first 10-20 minutes to get a feel for the game and catch my breath but it was great to get out there again," said Uelese, who has two Test caps.
"The knee is fine, I definitely came out of the game unscathed ... just normal body soreness given I hadn’t played a long time."
The 22-year-old said he'd shed seven kilograms while on the sidelines while he'd also worked hard on improving his lineout throwing which he'd identifie d as a weakness.
Uelese will have a familiar face by his side in the Rising front row in 18-year-old brother Junior - with the match the first time the pair have ever played together.
Uelese said that his little brother was anything but - weighing in at 130kg.
Melbourne bred Junior, whose actual name is Oveleni, went to boarding school for his senior years in Wellington, New Zealand, but has pledged his allegiance to Australia and has been training as a development player with the Rebels.
"When you are a Pacific Islander player and you are called Junior you know he is the complete opposite,” Uelese said.
"He is a big 130kg-plus prop and I have never played with him in my life.
"It will be exciting to pack down with him. He is a tight-head prop and I am a hooker, so it will be pretty special for me and my family."
The Wolfpack are made up of players from Japan’s extended World Cup training squad and showed their talent with a 66-17 win over the Brumbies Runners last Sunday.
The Rising will be comprised of current Rebels not playing Super Rugby on Friday and Victorian club players.
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Hard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
Go to commentsThink 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.
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