New Rebels coach unveils his first team

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels' interim coach, Kevin Foote, has named what he believes to be a strong matchday 23 for Saturday's opening Trans-Tasman clash against the Blues.

The team announcement is headlined by the return of dashing wing Lachie Anderson.

Anderson's inclusion will be a welcome return for the Rebels, having begun Season 2021 in scintillating form, starting in the Rebels' opening four games, scoring back-to-back tries against the Western Force and Waratahs.

Joining Anderson will be Shute Shield teammate Michael Icely, who is set to make his Super Rugby debut following an eye-catching body of work for Eastwood in which the robust No.8 has scored seven tries from just four appearances this season.

The 24-year-old says he'll be looking to make an immediate impact.

"I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to make my Super Rugby and Melbourne Rebels' debut in such an important game for the club," Icely said.

"It's been great training with the boys and I can't wait to get out on Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and give it my best come Saturday,” he added.

Cameron Orr, Jordan Uelese and Cabous Eloff will once again start in the front row, following the trio's impressive Round 10 outing against the Waratahs at Western Sydney Stadium.

Rob Leota will be looking to extend his impressive rich vein of form this season, when he combines with Ross Haylett-Petty in the second row for the second consecutive game this year.

Meanwhile, Wallabies' squad member, Josh Kemeny, will return to the Starting XV, after being named as left flank.

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Kemeny's inclusion is one of three changes to a reshuffled back row, with Richard Hardwick promoted to the right-hand side, while Vice-Captain, Michael Wells, shifts back to Number Eight, covering for the suspended Isi Naisarani.

Rebels' skipper, Matt To'omua will partner with Joe Powell at the halves for the ninth consecutive game following a stellar Super Rugby AU campaign in which the thirty-one-year-old recorded his second consecutive 100-point season, on his way to being awarded the competition's equal-leading points scorer for 2021.

Campbell Magnay and Stacey Ili will get another chance to combine in the midfield, named at inside and outside centre respectively.

For the Auckland-born Ili, Saturday shapes as the first occasion the twenty-nine-year-old will get to play against his hometown Super Rugby side.

Fresh after being named in Super Rugby AU's Team of the Season, Marika Koroibete, once again looms as a crucial piece to his side's quest for victory.

Koroibete will round out the Rebels' backline alongside Frank Lomani and Tom Pincus, who's set to get his first taste of New Zealand Super Rugby competition, following an impressive domestic season at fullback for Melbourne.

Argentinian international, Lucio Sordoni, will be called upon to bring his trademark physicality after being selected as a front row replacement, joining James Hanson and Matt Gibbon.

Steve Cummins has been named as cover for the second row, with debutant, Michael Icely the other forward replacement.

Carter Gordon, Lachie Anderson and the returning James Tuttle, round out the Rebels' Match Day 23.

"We've prepared well, and the boys are ready for Saturday's game, it's a great opportunity for us to put Super Rugby AU behind us and test ourselves against the Blues," new Rebels coach Kevin Foote said.

"Coming off a win against the Waratahs where we played the type of rugby that we have been aiming for, it gives us great belief coming up against New Zealand teams."

In what is the first encounter between two sides since the Rebels' memorable 2018 victory in Auckland, Saturday's contest shapes as a thrilling of Trans-Tasman rugby, with the Rebels and the Blues averaging more than 58 combined points per game over their last four encounters.

Melbourne Rebels: 15 Tom Pincus, 14 Frank Lomani, 13 Stacey Ili 12 Campbell Magnay, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt To'omua (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Ross Haylett-Petty, 4 Rob Leota, 3 Cabous Eloff, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cameron Orr.

Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Steve Cummins, 20 Michael Icely, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Carter Gordon, 23 Lachie Anderson.

Date: Saturday, May 15

Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne

Kick-off: 19.45 (21.45 NZST; 09.45 GMT)

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Assistant referees: Amy Perrett, Reuben Keane

TMO: Ian Smith