Rebels lose skipper for Brumbies clash
Head Coach Dave Wessels has named Wallaby trio Richard Hardwick, Marika Koroibete and Ben Daley for their first appearances of the 2018 campaign off the bench.
However, the Rebels will be without captain Adam Coleman for the Australian Conference derby.
Coleman is expected to miss just one week after the lock failed to overcome sternum soreness suffered in last weekend’s 20-point victory over the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
Ross Haylett-Petty will join brother Dane in the starting line-up for the first time this season after the lock was promoted to the run-on team.
Hardwick and Koroibete will return to action via the reserves bench after the pair were sidelined for the opening two games of the season with minor knee injuries.
Daley is set to make his first appearance in Rebels colours after an injury sidelined the new recruit for the two pre-season trial matches and the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens.
A week after setting a new club record with two wins to start a season, the Rebels will be looking to continue to make history on Friday night with a third consecutive victory for the first time in the club’s history.
Coleman’s absence will see centre Tom English captain the Rebels for the first time in Super Rugby.
Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English (captain), 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Ross Haylett-Petty, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Tetera Faulkner
Replacements: 16 Anaru Rangi, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Colby Fainga’a, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Billy Meakes, 23 Marika Koroibete
Date: Friday, March 9
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.45 local (08.45 GMT)
Referee: William Houston (Australia)
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)