Fly-half: James O'Connor
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The Rebels will start James O'Connor at number 10 for Friday's Super Rugby match against the Reds at AAMI Park.
O'Connor will once again captain the side, with number eight Gareth Delve still being sidelined.
With the injury to Beale, Hill has given the pivot role to O'Connor, while calling upon uncapped utility Angus Roberts into the run-on team at full-back, after some strong trial and training form.
The first South Australian born Super Rugby player, Alex Rokobaro, returns to the starting team, with Rory Sidey moving onto the bench.
Hill has kept the same forward reserves with both Jarrod Saffy and Jordy Reid expected to feature.
Rebels: 15 Angus Roberts, 14 Richard Kingi, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Alex Rokobaro, 10 James O'Connor (c), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Jordy Reid, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 Rory Sidey, 22 Tom English.
Date: Friday, March 8
Kick-off: 19:40 local (08:40 GMT)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Comments
daibok says...
When this lad gets teamed up with Genia - look out Lions.
Posted 12:27 05th March 2013
ironmanI441 says...
I used to dislike O'Connor as he seemed to be a bit too much into the celebrity of being a rugby player, like Gavin Henson earlier in his career and O'Connor still looks like a prat at times with his hairstyles and such (wannabe rugby Beckham), but he has really matured as a rugby player and clearly bulked up a bit as he filled out his frame. I have watched two Rebels games this season and have been impressed with his performances and goal kicking. He seems to have matured into a good leader and is so young for the amount of top level experience he has. I can see him moving to 10 for Australia in the long term, and if not then he should be 15 and take over the goal kicking responsibilities. If I were the Oz coach I would have O'Connor as VC and Pocock as Capt, young world class talents with a lot of experience for their age. Anybody else think that if O'Connor lines up at 10 we may see Farrell get left for dead a few times?
Posted 11:50 05th March 2013
2eyedkiwi says...
@armchair - agreed. O'Connor is the best flyhalf in Aus.
Posted 08:38 05th March 2013
firepower says...
i agree @ArmchairGeneral.
Posted 07:03 05th March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
The Lion slayer gets into position.
Posted 05:53 05th March 2013