Rebels lose star lock ahead of Hurricanes clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty and vice-captain Angus Cottrell have been named to make their return to the Rebels’ starting XV to face the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Haylett-Petty has successfully rehabilitated a foot injury sustained in Round Five against the Lions, while Cottrell has overcome concussion to become available for selection in the team’s Trans-Tasman fixture.
While the Melburnians regain two star players, the side has lost starting lock Adam Coleman, who has succumbed to injury.
Coleman’s absence has caused a reshuffle in the second row, with Luke Jones moving from flank to lock, while Rob Leota has replaced the injured Richard Hardwick at Seven.
Positionally, Tetera Faulkner has been promoted to starting prop and Reece Hodge has moved to centre, leaving Matt Gibbon and Billy Meakes to start on the bench.
Victorian forward Pone Fa’amausili has been selected in the reserves, while Haylett-Petty’s return has resulted in centre Sione Tuipulotu being squeezed out of the side.
Melbourne head coach Dave Wessels says the return of Haylett-Petty and Cottrell to the team will give his side a much-needed boost.
“Dane’s the captain of our team, and just having his leadership will be good,” Wessels said.
“Hodgey did a really good job for us at full back so it wasn’t a straight forward decision but it’s great from a leadership perspective to have Dane back.”
“Gussy is a big leader for us in the pack…he leads through his actions and again, the forwards really respect him for that.”
With Coleman out, Wessels says he has full confidence in the ability of Luke Jones and Matt Philip to cover the loss of their starting lock.
“Adam Coleman was ruled out of the game, he’s got a bit of a niggly shoulder,” Wessels said.
“It shows the confidence we have in guys like [Luke] Jones and Matt Philip, those guys have played lock for us early in the season really effectively.”
Melbourne, here’s your side to face the 🌪in Wellington!
Ins: Angus Cottrell, Pone Fa’amausili, Dane Haylett-Petty (c)
Outs: Adam Coleman, Richard Hardwick, Sione Tuipulotu pic.twitter.com/QlgxWjJGuV
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) May 2, 2019
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Rob Leota, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Pone Fa’amausili, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Billy Meakes, 23 Campbell Magnay.
Date: Saturday, May 4
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 Melbourne time; 05.15 GMT)
Referee: Nicholas Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
