Rebels get Wallabies boost for Sunwolves
Wallabies Dane Haylett-Petty, Sefa Naivalu, Ben Daley and Jordan Uelese are all included as the Melbourne Rebels prepare to host the Sunwolves at AAMI Park.
Haylett-Petty will start at fullback after he suffered a bulged disc in his neck against the Bulls in Pretoria a month ago. Uelese is set to return off the bench after injuring his arm in the same game.
Reece Hodge will start at flyhalf, Billy Meakes in the centres and Jack Maddocks on the wing – rounding out the changes to the starting line-up from the team that beat the Brumbies a fortnight ago.
Uncapped prop, Pone Fa’amausili and flyhalf, Tayler Adams, are also in-line to earn Super Rugby debuts.
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach, Dave Wessels: "We’ve picked a side with a nice balance of youth and experience. It’s good to have Dane back in the starting XV – he’s a real leader in the group and everyone will take confidence from having him around,"
Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Reece Hodge, 9 Michael Ruru, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman (captain), 4 Matt Philip, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Fereti Sa’aga
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Tayler Adams, 23 Sefa Naivalu
Date: Friday, May 25
Venue: AAMI Park
Kick-off: 19:45 local (09:45 GMT, 18.45 Japan Time)
Referee: Federico Anselmi
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Graham Cooper
TMO: Ian Smith