Rebels boss Wessels changes pack for Brumbies
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels Head Coach, Dave Wessels has made four changes to his side for Saturday’s Round three clash against the Brumbies at GIO Stadium.
James Hanson comes into the side, making his first appearance for the Rebels in over three years after spending four seasons playing for Gloucester in the English Premiership. Hanson has been named at starting hooker, replacing Jordan Uelese, who is unavailable due to injury.
The 111-game veteran will be joined in a reshuffled forward pack by the emerging Josh Kemeny and experienced lock, Ross Haylett-Petty, who will be making his first appearance for the Rebels this season.
The starting backline remains unchanged from the side that took to the field during Friday’s nail-biting clash at Suncorp Stadium, with skipper Matt Toomua and Joe Powell to partner in the halves.
Stacey Ili receives his second opportunity to combine with Wallaby Reece Hodge at centre, following the twenty-nine-year-old’s Super Rugby debut last week.
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The back three sees the dashing Marika Koroibete and Lachie Anderson on the wings, with Tom Pincus set to make his third career start for the Rebels, following a strong start to his second season with the club.
Meanwhile Argentinian international, Lucio Sordoni will make his Melbourne Rebels debut, joining Ed Craig, Isaac Aedo Kailea and Steve Cummins as forward replacements, while Rob Leota, Frank Lomani and Junior Wallaby, Glen Vaihu, round out the Rebels’ match day 23.
Melbourne Rebels Forwards Coach, Geoff Parling said: “We’re excited to have Ross back and I think some of the fans, especially those who have been with the Rebels from the start, will be keen to see how Chibba gets on.”
“It was very close at lock with Steve Cummins, who’s been doing excellent work with our younger players but sometimes it just takes new player a bit of time to get used to a team’s system.
“Our fans will be eager to see us with a bit of fire in our bellies and going at teams, which I think was what we did last week. I know we were pragmatic in taking points but that’s what our plan was, and it worked for us, and I think a lot of people saw a team which stood up and wanted to scramble on defence.
“We know this week will be another step up again, so what I really want to see again is a team that looks organised and that has fire in the belly and one that fights hard for each other.”
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Tom Pincus, 14 Lachlan Anderson, 13 Stacey Ili, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt To’omua (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Joshua Kemeny, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Pone Faamausili, 2 James Hanson, 1 Cabous Eloff.
Replacements: 16 Ed Craig, 17 Isaac Aedo Kailea, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Steve Cummins, 20 Robert Leota, 21 James Tuttle/Brad Wilkin/Tom Nowlan, 22 Frank Lomani, 23 Glen Vaihu.
Date: Saturday, March 6
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 19.45 (08.45 GMT)
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Jordan Way & Nic Berry
TMO: Brett Cronan
