McMahon amongst eight debutants

Rebels coach Tony McGahan has named rookie Sean McMahon at blindside flank as one eight new faces in the side for the franchise's first game of the 2014 Super Rugby season.

The Rebels host the Cheetahs in Melbourne on Friday.

Three players will have the opportunity to taste Super Rugby action for the first time, with Sean McMahon, Ben Meehan and Max Lahiff all being named on the reserves bench.

Alongside the debutants, All Black Tamati Ellison will make his first appearance for the Rebels in Super Rugby – joining two-time Super Rugby winner and former Chiefs prop Toby Smith.

Former Waratah Tom Kingston, former Crusader Steve Fualau and former Brumby Colby Fainga'a are named on the bench.

However, it is McMahon who was deemed the 'bolter' for the new look Rebels line-up

McMahon, the youngest ever Australian Rugby Sevens representative, said he felt a cluster of emotions when he first heard the news.

"I was a bit stunned, a bit nervous; there were lots of different emotions, but mainly I was excited," McMahon said.

"My mum and Aunty are coming down from Brisbane, and I'll have a couple of really good mates there too.

"I'm really happy to be in the run-on side, so I can get straight in and get a feel for it. I just want to contribute to a strong first-up performance, and go from there."

For scrumhalf Ben Meehan, tasting some of the action would represent the realisation of a childhood dream.

"I'm very, very excited to be named in the 23," Meehan said.

"I've always wanted to play professional Rugby, and I just want to do my family proud.

"I'm so pumped to run out at AAMI Park in front of a packed Melbourne Crowd, and I'm sure the atmosphere will be electric."

Melbourne Rebels: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.

Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Colby Fainga'a, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Angus Roberts, 23 Tom Kingston.

Date: Friday, February 28

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT; 10.40 SA time)

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

Assistant referees: Matt O'Brien (Australia), Michael Hogan (Australia)

TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)