Rebels bolstered for Sunwolves clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Hooker Jordan Uelese is in line to play his first Super Rugby match since Round 16, 2018 after the 22-year-old was named in the replacements to face the Sunwolves this Saturday in Tokyo.
Adam Coleman and Tom English have also returned to the side after missing the side’s last round loss to the Bulls at AAMI Park.
Team captain English will look to get some game time after missing the previous two matches with a calf complaint.
Coleman will start after returning from a shoulder injury sustained in Round 10 against the Waratahs.
The return of Coleman to the forward pack highlights four other changes to the starting XV, with Matt Gibbon and Hugh Roach to start at prop and hooker respectively, while Richard Hardwick has been moved from flank to eight.
Head coach Dave Wessels says the inclusion of Coleman, Uelese and English will be a positive boost for the side, with all three having competed well enough to re-earn their spots.
“Jordan Uelese has done a hell of a job in his rehab and competed, so it’s great to have him back in the mix. He’s in the best physical shape I’ve ever seen him in, and he’s really worked hard through his rehab process to be in career-best shape,” Wessels noted.
Wessels stated the decision to bring reserve hooker Hugh Roach into the starting role came down to his good form, allowing Anaru Rangi an opportunity to gain a much-needed rest.
“Anaru just needs a little bit of a rest, I found him to be a bit flat. He really puts his body on the line, so he deserves a bit of a rest,” he said.
“We’re fortunate that Hugh Roach is playing really well, every time he’s come off the bench, he’s made an impression.”
🍄 Here we go @sunwolves pic.twitter.com/bqAuttdAdT
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) May 22, 2019
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Hardwick, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Ross Haylett-Petty, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Hugh Roach, 1 Matt Gibbon.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Matt To’omua, 23 Tom English.
Date: Saturday, May 25
Venue: Prince Chichibu Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: 14.15 (15.15 Melbourne time; 05.15 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Federico Anselmi (Argentina), Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
TMO: Minoru Fuji (Japan)
