Rebels change three for Brumbies

Editor

Rebels head coach Tony McGahan has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday's Australian derby against the Brumbies in Melbourne.

McGahan welcomes back Sefa Naivalu from injury while the forwards have been bolstered by international experience with the return of Lopeti Timani to the starting line-up and Dom Day named for his run-on debut.

Naivalu passed a fitness test for his injury shoulder, which sidelined the winger for the Highlanders game before to the bye, and will team up with compatriot Marika Koroibete on the wings for just the second time this season.

Timani will make his first start for the Rebels since the Round 2 after a calf injury saw the Wallaby miss the club’s home games against the Chiefs and Waratahs before a return to action off the bench against the Highlanders.

Welsh international Day will make his Super Rugby debut alongside Timani in the locks after his first two appearances have come off the bench against the Waratah and Highlanders.

McGahan has reshuffled the team’s back-line with Nic Stirzaker and Jack Debreczeni to resume their partnership in the halves for the first time season while utility Reece Hodge will fill the vacancy at fullback, Tom English returns to the centres with Mitch Inman.

“It’s always great to welcome back experience to the starting line-up but it’s particularly welcome ahead of an important Australian derby against the Brumbies,” said McGahan.

“The bye week was a timely opportunity to reset so we’ve comeback from the break and got a lot of really good work done to address some particular facets to our game and give us the best chance against a quality opposition.”

The Rebels have named uncapped Hugh Sinclair on the reserves bench after the backrower put his Shute Shield campaign on hold to joined the club earlier this week as a short-term recruit to help cover an injury depeated squad.

Laurie Weeks, the only remaining foundation player with the Rebels, will celebrate his 100th Super Rugby appearance on Saturday night after 23 games with the Queensland Reds before he moved south as the club’s first ever signing in 2011.

Melbourne Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker (c), 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 James Hanson, 1 Fereti Sa’aga 
Replacements: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Tom Moloney, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Hugh Sinclair, 21 Mick Snowden, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Ben Volavola

Date: Saturday, April 15
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19:45 local (09:45 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Referees: Brendon Pickerill, Rohan Hoffmann
TMO: George Ayoub