Harris back for Rebels
The return of the trio is a boost for the Rebels heading into the local derby with top spot on the Australian Conference ladder on the line.
Harris returns to fullback for the first time since he suffered a quad injury in the Rebels opening round game against the Force in Perth.
After two appearances off the bench, including a try against the Blues before the bye, Fainga'’a has been recalled to the starting XV for the first time since he injured his elbow against the Force in the opening round.
Timani has recovered from a quad injury to be selected in the run-on team after the 25-year-old missed the game against the Blues in Auckland.
The Rebels bench has received a boost as well with Tom English named as a reserve after a knee injury sidelined the winger since the team’s fifth round loss to the Highlanders at AAMI Park.
Little could separate the two sides last year with the Brumbies and Rebels splitting the results away from home by five-point margins – the Victorian's first win in Canberra when the teams last met.
The Rebels and Brumbies have met on ten previous occasions with the hosts winning three games, including the team's historic maiden Super Rugby victory in Round Two in 2011 at AAMI Park.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Cam Crawford, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker (captain), 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Sean McMahon, 6 Colby Fainga'a, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 James Hanson, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Cruze Ah Nau, 18 Tim Metcher, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Jordy Reid, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Tom English, 23 Kotaro Matsushima.
Date: Friday, May 6
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.45 (09.45 GMT)
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann
Assistant referees: Will Houston, Michale Hogan
TMO: Ian Smith
