Rebels tweak side for Sunwolves clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Melbourne Rebels have kept the faith with their starting XV, naming only one change to the side which defeated the Queensland Reds by 19 points.
Jermaine Ainsley has been selected at tighthead prop, replacing vice-captain Sam Talakai, who has been rested for the match.
Four changes have been made in the replacements, with Pone Fa’amausili, Semisi Tupou and Ross Haylett-Petty all in line to gain minutes, while new recruit Hugh Roach could potentially make his Club debut after 41 appearances with the Waratahs.
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Dave Wessels says the addition of Wallaby-Capped Ainsley to the starting side is well deserved after the prop’s hard work during the season.
"I think Jermaine has really deserved his chance," Wessels said.
"He was actually going to start in one of the previous games but got some gastro and was ruled out of the game."
Wessels’ excitement towards Ainsley’s promotion to the starting XV was also prevalent when speaking about Victorian product Pone Fa’amausili and his return to the replacements.
The head coach believes Fa’amausili has the ability to provide real competition for the tighthead role spot, with Wessels saying the 22-year-old has the potential to be a big part of the Club’s forward pack in the future.
"We’ve got some real competition for that position now, with guys like Pone Fa’amausili, who played earlier in the season," Wessels said.
"He’s only a young guy, but he’s going to be a big part of our club going forward, so I’m looking forward to seeing his performance off the bench as well."
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Campbell Magnay, 23 Semisi Tupou.
Date: Saturday, April 6
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19.45 (17.45 Japan time; 08.45 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)