Red Wallabies in Rebels kit
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The Rebels have named Wallabies and former Reds backs Mike Harris and Dom Shipperley to face the Crusaders in Round One on Friday at the AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
Meanwhile there are two more potential debutants for the Rebels in Ben Whittaker and Sefanaia Naivalu who have been named as reserves.
Whittaker signed for the Club after returning to Melbourne from Biarritz, while Naivalu could make history if the former Box Hill flyer becomes the first ever player to represent the Rebels after being signed from the Dewar Shield, Victoria’s premier club competition.In other selection news, centre Tamati Ellison has returned from his playing stint in Japan’s Top League to resume his fruitful midfield partnership with Mitch Inman.
Nic Stirzaker and Jack Debreczeni will pick up where they left off with the Melbourne Rising in the NRC, after being named as the halfbacks.
Sam Jeffries will be hopeful of adding to his one Super Rugby cap, earned in the final round last year, after the lock was named on the bench.
McGahan said that with only one player (Tom Kingston) unavailable due to injury, selecting a squad of 23 was a difficult task.
“It’s a good position to be in, with almost everybody up and running and competing for places,” he said.
“We have had to leave behind some very good players, who are very disappointed.
”The 23 we selected get the first opportunity to represent us in Round One; they have earned it, and we’re excited to get out there and kick off our campaign.”
Rebels: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacments: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Scott Fuglistaller, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Sefanaia Naivalu.
Date: Friday, February 13
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 ( 06.35 GMT; 21.35 AEDT)
Referee: Briant Nick (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Shane McDermott (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
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