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Wallabies World Cup hopeful to return from injury against the Sunwolves
By Online Editors
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne have included World Cup hopeful Jordan Uelese on the bench for their must-win Super Rugby clash with the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.
Hooker Uelese is set to make his first appearance of the season since undergoing a knee reconstruction almost a year ago, taking on a Sunwolves team featuring former teammate and Australian Super Rugby player of the year Amanaki Mafi.
The Rebels have again resisted starting five-eighth recruit Matt Toomua, while Test lock Adam Coleman has overcome a troublesome shoulder injury to be named in the starting side.
Despite resting a "flat" Anaru Rangi, Melbourne coach Dave Wessels said he didn't consider starting Uelese, with ex-Waratah Hugh Roach getting the No.2 jersey.
"I think Jordie's got to earn his way back into the team," Wessels said on Thursday.
"I think both Roachie and Anaru have been playing well and it wouldn't be right for a guy to leap-frog them until he's had the opportunity to earn that spot.
"But to give Jordie his due, he's in the best physical shape that I've ever seen so I'm looking forward to what he's going to bring."
Wessels said Coleman was also in great shape, having focused on his conditioning in an interrupted season, and expected him to bring a "presence".
The last time the teams met the Rebels had a 45-10 victory but Wessels predicted a sterner test in Tokyo with explosive ball-carrier Mafi in the backrow.
The No.8 left the Rebels in disgrace at the end of last season, accused of assaulting a teammate following their final round game in New Zealand.
He didn't play when the Sunwolves were crushed 33-0 by the Brumbies in their last outing before their bye.
With four rounds to play, including games against the defending champion Crusaders and Waratahs, the Rebels need to bank the win against the lowly Sunwolves to help secure a maiden finals berth.
Wessels said it would be naive to think his players hadn't done the maths but all they needed to think about was winning.
"We haven't talked about it but the reality is that we've got to do our thing.
"It's such a funny comp with everyone knocking off everyone else and there's a lot of rugby to be played so all you can control is your own performance."
Rebels: Dane Haylett-Petty (c), Jack Maddocks, Reece Hodge, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Richard Hardwick, Angus Cottrell, Ross Haylett-Petty, Adam Coleman, Matt Philip, Sam Talakai, Hugh Roach, Matt Gibbon. Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Tetera Faulkner, Jermaine Ainsley, Sam Jeffries, Rob Leota, Michael Ruru, Matt Toomua, Tom English.
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Latest Comments
The difference between Fassi and Le Roux?
Almost 100 tests. Fassi is growing from test to test and is already world class. It’s going to be difficult for Damian Willemse to usurp Fassi at 15 and may find himself destined as the utility back on the bomb squad.
South Africans love hating on their fullback. A proud tradition since Percy Montgomery (before he won us a World Cup). So I don’t pay much mind to the noise that follows anyone who puts on the 15 jersey for SA.
15 is a high risk, low reward position. You don’t dare drop a high ball, certainly don’t shank a kick into the stands. In fact if you’re not kicking 60m torpedoes into the opposition corners - stay at home.
And miss tackles? After everyone else on the team has let a break through - best you not miss!
Only Andre Joubert strikes me as a fullback that has been better than Willie. Yet Willie has been widely panned on a regular basis. Irritating.
Fassi is great. And I’m sure he’s learning a lot from Willie.
Go to commentsNo, Penney's win rate as a Super Rugby coach BEFORE he was given a 2 year contract here, was 23%. He came in with a very poor success rate at SR level.
This loser vibe was borne out over the SR season where we won only 4 games while losing 10. Finishing 9th in a 12 team competition & missing a QF spot was next level DOWN.
There's zero evidence that suggests we will win 10 games (70%) as you predict. I understand there may be new assistant coaches coming on board. At this stage, we can only hope for the best.
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