Rebels flyer returns to training
Naivalu was sidelined for the Rebels' opening two games of the Super Rugby season after a leg infection hospitalised the 25-year-old at the end of the team's pre-season campaign.
The Rebels are hopeful that Naivalu, who's scored 10 tries in 25 games for the side, will be available for selection for the Round Four meeting with the Chiefs at AAMI Park on Friday.
"Sefa continues to make progress in his return to full fitness," Tony McGahan told melbournerebels.com
"We weren't prepared to risk his health by rushing him back early so the bye provided him, along with a few others, an extra week to give themselves the best chance of selection."
The Rebels have been without Wallabies Sean McMahon, Toby Smith and Naivalu for the first two games of the season, while James Hanson, Marika Koroibete and Mitch Inman returned to action against the Hurricanes.
The 13-day turnaround between the two games provides the players with additional time to push for selection.
Laurie Weeks, who recently put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension, is expected to recover from a cork that sidelined the prop for Round Two and Welsh international Dominic Day continues to overcome an existing shoulder injury.
The Rebels trained on Monday as preparations ramp up for their return home against the Chiefs on Friday – their third New Zealand opponent in as many weeks.
"We're certainly not satisfied with the first two weeks of the season, it wasn't up to Rebels standards or expectations, so the squad has come out of the bye with some hard work done and looking forward to Round Four," McGahan said.
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