Wessels reveals Rebels team to face Force
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne Rebels’ head coach, Dave Wessels, has named an unchanged starting XV for Friday’s Super Rugby AU clash against the Western Force at HBF Stadium.
The Rebels will travel to Perth for the first time since 2017, facing an emerging Western Force side brimming with confidence following their 20-16 Round Three win over the Waratahs.
Pone Fa’amausili has been named in the No.3 jersey after successfully recovering from a heavy knock suffered during last week’s match against the Brumbies.
Fa’amausili will be joined by Cabous Eloff and James Hanson in the starting front row for the second consecutive game this season.
Experienced scrumhalf, Joe Powell, will get another opportunity to develop his partnership with Rebels’ captain Matt To’omua in the halves, following an impressive performance against his former side last week.
To’omua has also kicked off season 2021 in a rich vein of form, scoring a league-high 42 points after three matches, including converting a team record eight penalties from eight attempts during last week’s clash against the Brumbies.
Following an impressive debut, Argentinian international, Lucio Sordoni, will again be called upon as a tighthead prop replacement.
Sordoni will be joined by hooker, Ed Craig, Isaac Aedo Kailea and Steve Cummins as forward replacements, while Tom Nowlan could potentially make his Super Rugby AU debut this week after being named in the No.20 jersey alongside Brad Wilkin.
Rounding out the Rebels’ matchday 23 will be James Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, Fijian International halfback, Frank Lomani or young gun, Carter Gordon.
Melbourne Rebels’ attack coach, Shaun Berne said: “There’s a fair bit of consistency from us in terms of this week’s selections, because we feel the guys that have played, have earned the right to wear the jersey again.
“The focus this week have been trying to improve our game and we feel like we’re moving in the right direction and that we’re very close to a win.”
The Rebels will be looking to claim their first win of the Super Rugby AU season, following nail-biting defeats to the Queensland Reds and the Brumbies.
Friday’s clash also represents the Rebels’ third and final away game for the next four Super Rugby AU matches, with the Rebels due to host their first home game back at AAMI Park in 377 days next Friday against the Waratahs.
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 Brad Wilkin/Tom Nowlan, 22 James Tuttle, 23 Frank Lomani/Carter Gordon.
Date: Friday, March 12
Venue: HBF Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 17.45 (20.45 AEDT; 09.45 GMT)
Referee: Graham Cooper
Assistant referees: Reuben Keane, Brett Cronan
TMO: Kyle Burnett
