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Rodzilla to pack down for Rebels

The Rebels have recalled big loosehead prop Rodney Blake for their clash with the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.

The Melbourne side have also reshuffled their back row, where vice-captain Gareth Delve returns to the back of the scrum and Tim Davidson shifts to blindside in place of Luke Jones.

There could be a change out wide, where Copper Vuna and Lachlan Mitchell are bracketed to wear the No.11 jersey.

Injured has ended veteran hooker Adam Freier's tour and Luke Holmes takes his place on the bench. Freier has also announced his retirement as a result of the injury.

Loose forward Ryan Hodson and scrumhalf Nic Stirzaker both climb onto the bench this week and could make a difference in the second half.

The Rebels will wave goodbye to backs Julian Huxley, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock and James Hildendorf after this match. Mortlock will hang up his boots for good, while the other four seek employment overseas.

Melbourne Rebels: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 11 Cooper Vuna/Lachlan Mitchell, 10 James Hilgendorf, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Hugh Perrett, 6 Tim Davidson, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Jono Owen, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Rodney Blake.

Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Alister Campbell, 19 Ryan Hodson, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 Cooper Vuna/Lachlan Mitchell, 22 Richard Kingi.

Date: Saturday, July 14

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)

Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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