Rebels load three big guns for Chiefs
Tom English, Mitch Inman and Sam Jeffries have been recalled into the starting 15, while Culum Retallick, Jonah Placid and Siliva Siliva have been named on the reserves bench for the game at Waikato Stadium.
The Rebels have received a boost to their backline with English and Inman returning to the run-on team for the first time after injuries sidelined the pair since Round Five and Round Six, respectively.
English, who came off the bench last weekend in his first appearance since a knee injury to the Highlanders, replaces Cam Crawford on the left wing while Ellison makes way for Inman at outside centre.
Jeffries will make his second start of the season after getting the nod at lock for Luke Jones, who failed to overcome a back injury suffered in the eight-point loss to the Brumbies last weekend.
"We gave the players every opportunity to prove their fitness but unfortunately a few knocks from last weekend have forced our hand for Saturday," Rebels coach Tony McGahan said.
"The injuries have given Tom, Mitch and Sam the opportunity to come back into the starting line up and they're all eager to do well and push their cases for the business end of the season."
Siliva, a former Endeavour Hills junior, has been named in his first Rebels team since returning home from four seasons with the Brumbies after Pat Leafa injured his back at training on Thursday.
Despite the Chiefs holding a three-to-one head-to-head advantage going into Saturday's game, little has separated the two sides in their previous meetings.
Less than a converted try has been the difference in their last three games, including the Rebels only victory over the Chiefs when the two sides last played in Round 12 at AAMI Park in 2015.
"The Chiefs are one of the toughest challenges in Super Rugby, they've built a successful game around a dangerous counter attack, so we're looking forward to the contest," McGahan said.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Tom English, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker (captain), 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Sean McMahon, 6 Colby Fainga'a, 5 Lopeti Timani , 4 Sam Jeffries, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 James Hanson, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva , 17 Cruze Ah Nau, 18 Tim Metcher, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Jordy Reid, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Jonah Placid, 23 Kotaro Matsushima.
Date: Saturday, May 21
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 AEST; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardiner
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill, Brett Johnson
TMO: Ben Skeen
