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Wallaby Taniela Tupou returns to Rebels' bench for Canes clash
By Finn Morton
Wallaby Taniela Tupou will come off the bench for the third time in five appearances for the Melbourne Rebels when they take on the ladder-leading Hurricanes in Palmerston North.
Tupou, who has been linked with a shock move to four-time European champions Leinster, started for the Rebels against his old club the Reds last time out but failed to fire.
The man known as ‘The Tongan Thor’ has been replaced by fellow Wallaby Sam Talakai in the starting side, while Victorian prop Isaac Kailea will start for the Rebels for the first time.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Angelo Smith will combine in the second row for the first time this season, while Tuaina Tail Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi and captain Rob Leota round out the forwards.
Ryan Louwrens and Carter Gordon will link up in the halves again while youngster Lukhas Ripley comes into the starting side for the first time this season.
Ripley joins David Feliuai in the midfield. Glen Vaihu, Lachie Anderson and fullback Andrew Kellaway are the rest of the starters this week.
On the bench, keep an eye out for Mason Gordon – the younger brother of starting fly-half Carter – who is in line to potentially debut at Super Rugby Pacific level on Friday.
The match is scheduled to get underway at 7:05 pm NZT at Palmerston North’s Central Energy Trust arena on Friday evening.
Melbourne Rebels side to take on the Hurricanes
- Isaac Kailea
- Jordan Uelese
- Sam Talakai
- Angelo Smith
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
- Tuaina Tail Tualima
- Vaiolini Ekuasi
- Rob Leota (c)
- Ryan Louwrens
- Carter Gordon
- Glen Vaihu
- David Feliuai
- Lukas Ripley
- Lachie Anderson
- Andrew Kellaway
Reserves
- Alex Mafi
- Cabous Eloff
- Taniela Tupou
- Josh Canham
- Daniel Maiava
- Jack Maunder
- Mason Gordon*
- Nick Jooste
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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