The Rebels and the Blues tackle each other in Melbourne this weekend, as both teams build towards the start of the Super Rugby season, kicking off on 24 February.
The Rebels have opted to play two completely different teams in each half, and have announced them as such. This means each player will get a full 40 minutes. It is interesting to note the Mark Gerrard will play the entire game, as he has been selected in both teams.
The Rebels went down 36 – 0 against the Chiefs last weekend, and coach Damien Hill will be looking for a much better performance from his side. He has James Hilgendorf, Mitch Inman and Adam Freier returning to take part in this game, after recovering from various injuries. Stirling Mortlock is still a glaring omission in midfield.
For the Blues, there are a few changes as well as players returning from injury, as Piri Weepu gets his chance to play at flyhalf in the place of Michael Hobbs. Isaia Toeava and Ali Williams return to the fold, as does Daniel Braid, who missed a lot of last season’s action due to injury. Brother Luke Braid is still on the sidelines with an injury of his own. Keven Mealamu has not been considered due to injury.
MELBOURNE REBELS:
First half: 1. Nic Henderson, 2. Ged Robinson, 3. Laurie Weeks, 4. Adam Byrnes, 5. Hugh Pyle, 6. Tom Chamberlain, 7. Michael Lipman, 8. Gareth Delve, 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Danny Cipriani, 11. Cooper Vuna, 12. James O’Connor, 13. Mitch Inman, 14. Mark Gerrard, 15. Kurtley Beale.
Second half: 1. Eddie Aholelei, 2. Luke Holmes, 3. Rodney Blake, 4. Alister Campbell, 5. James King, 6. Luke Jones, 7. Luke Beauchamp, 8. Tim Davidson, 9. Richard Kingi, 10. Danny Cipriani, 11. Cooper Vuna, 12. Lachlan Mitchell, 13. Lloyd Johansson, 14. Mark Gerrard, 15. Julian Huxley.
Interchange bench (for either half): Luke Holmes, Adam Freier, Alister Campbell, Nic Henderson, Luke Jones, Gareth Delve, Lachlan Mitchell, Cadeyrn Neville, James Hilgendorf, Nick Phipps, Tim Davidson, Mitch Inman, Rodney Blake, Tom Chamberlain, Rex Taupauai, James Hilgendorf, Heath Tessman, Ethan Ford, Isaiah Mosese, Rex Taupauai, Heath Tessman, Paul Alo Emile
BLUES:
1. Tevita Mailau, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Liaki Moli, 5. Ali WIlliams, 6. Chris Lowrey, 7. Daniel Braid, 8. Jerome Kaino, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Piri Weepu, 11. Sherwin Stowers, 12. Michael Hobbs, 13. Rene Ranger, 14.David Raikuna, 15. Isaia Toeava.
Replacements: Benson Stanley, Hadleigh Parkes, Lachie Munro, Rudi Wulf, Gareth Anscombe, Angus Ta’avao, Teofilo Paulo, Anthony Boric, Brad Mika, James Parsons, Dan Pryor, Peter Saili.
Tweet
Blues to kick some rebel ass. 56 – 12 😎
Im wish I could see this game, with Rene Ranger in midfield..
Danny Cipriani of the “wave your arms at the man and hope he falls over” tackling technique…
@The Quirk (Comment 3) :
Oh shit.. he is also playing both halves..
I was so sure that James O’Connor would get a run at 10..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : Last year, between Cipriani and Cooper Vuna, they had the defensive solidity of a block of Swiss cheese… O’Connor should be starting at 10, but hey…
@The Quirk (Comment 5) :
I agree, get the kid closer to the action..
10. O’Connor
12. Huxley or Johansson
13. Mortlock
That’ll give them flair on attack and defensive stability.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : He and Ben Smith were awesome for the NZ Barbarians vs NZ Maori as the centre pair!!!
@StevieS (Comment 8) :
Awesome.. I didn’t know he played centre..
Seems like the year of the Dragon in China means the year of the wing-moves-to-outside-centre in rugby terms..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 9) : Ja, I really thought after that game that he and Smith would get a look in at centre for the All Blacks, they were that good!
Let’s hope JP will be a dragon in midfield. I need the Sharks to win the title this year!
@StevieS (Comment 10) :
The All Blacks have a good few quality centres running around at the moment..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) : I know, but these guys combined beautifully and displayed it all, power, pace, great ball skills! I guess it says a lot about the quality in NZ when they don’t consistently play for the AB’s.
@StevieS (Comment 12) :
Consider all these centres:
Ma’a Nonu
Conrad Smith
Robbie Fruean
Sonny Bill Williams
Richard Kahui
Benson Stanley
Adam Whitelock
interesting – will show us what the Rebels are about this year..