Dane Haylett-Petty returns for crucial Force clash
Dane Haylett-Petty has been cleared to return for the Melbourne Rebels ahead of their final regular-season match against the Western Force in Newcastle on Saturday.
After sitting on the sidelines with a knee injury sustained against the Waratahs in Round 4, Haylett-Petty’s return provides a welcome boost for head coach Dave Wessels.
“It’s really nice to have Dane’s experience back in the team,” admitted Wessels.
“All week in training, he adds a calming voice to everybody. We’ve missed him – we’ve played most of the season now without him – so it’s great to have him back.
“I thought Reece Hodge has played really well at 15, so it wasn’t an easy decision to be honest.”
The skipper’s return is just one of several changes announced by Wessels.
Reece Hodge has shifted to outside centre for the injured Campbell Magnay (ankle), while Bill Meakes returns to the starting XV in his favoured 12 jersey.
That’s not the only change in the three-quarter line with Tom Pincus favoured over Andrew Kellaway at wing and Matt To’omua handed the reins at 10 in a new-look halves pairing featuring James Tuttle.
“Bobby Tuttle has played well when he’s come on and I thought Billy Meakes has played well when he’s come on, so it’s probably more about trying to give those guys some exposure,” said Wessels.
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“I think Bill’s one of those guys who’s very experienced for us and we feel like we’re getting towards the business end, so having some experience in all the positional groups is very helpful.”
Up front, Richard Hardwick comes in for Brad Wilkin in the only change to the starting pack, while Matt Gibbon returns from a long injury lay-off to earn a spot on the bench in place of Pone Fa’amausili (hamstring).
“I think the back-row in our team is the area that probably has the most competition,” said Wessels.
“There’s a lot of competition in all the back-row spots, we just feel going into what is effectively a play-off game, we feel the experience is of Dickie gets him the nod over Brad Wilkin.”
Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (c), 14 Tom Pincus, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Bill Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt To’omua, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Michael Wells, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cameron Orr
Replacements: 16 Efitusi Ma’afu, 17 Cabous Eloff, 18 Matt Gibbon, 19 Michael Stolberg, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Andrew Deegan, 23 Lachie Anderson
Date: Saturday, September 5
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 15:00 local (06:00 BST, 05:00 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Graham Cooper, Amy Perrett
TMO: James Leckie