Rebels name their side to tackle the Crusaders
Up to four players could make their RaboDirect Rebels debut in Round One of the 2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby season, after Tony McGahan named the recruits in his first matchday squad for the season.
Heading to Christchurch to face the Crusaders at 5:35pm AEDT on Friday, McGahan named Wallabies Mike Harris and Dom Shipperley in his starting lineup for their first appearance in the Five Stars, while Ben Whittaker and Sefanaia Naivalu have been named as reserves.
Whittaker signed for the Club after returning to Melbourne from Biarritz, while Naivalu could make history if the former Box Hill flyer becomes the first ever player to represent the Rebels after being signed from the Dewar Shield, Victoria’s premier Club Rugby competition.
In other selection news, centre Tamati Ellison has returned from his playing stint in Japan’s top league to resume his fruitful midfield partnership with Mitch Inman, while Nic Stirzaker and Jack Debreczeni will pick up where they left off with the Melbourne Rising in the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC), after being named in the halves. Sam Jeffries will be hopeful of adding to his one Super Rugby cap, earned in the final round last year, after the second rower was named on the bench.
McGahan said that with only one player (Tom Kingston) unavailable due to injury, selecting a squad of 23 was a difficult task.
“It’s a good position to be in, with almost everybody up and running and competing for places,” he said. “We have had to leave behind some very good players, who are very disappointed.
”The 23 we selected get the first opportunity to represent us in Round One; they have earned it, and we’re excited to get out there and kick off our campaign.”
RaboDirect Rebels squad to face Crusaders, AMI Stadium, Friday February 13th, 2015:
1. Toby Smith (Rebel #60, 13 Rebels Caps)
2. Pat Leafa (Rebel #57, 18 Rebels Caps)
3. Laurie Weeks (Rebel #19, 53 Rebels Caps)
4. Luke Jones (Rebel #32, 47 Rebels Caps)
5. Lopeti Timani (Rebel #69, 2 Rebels Caps)
6. Sean McMahon (Rebel #62, 13 Rebels Caps)
7. Colby Fainga’a (Rebel #65, 15 Rebels Caps)
8. Scott Higginbotham (Rebel #46, 29 Rebels Caps)
9. Nic Stirzaker (Rebel #38, 24 Rebels Caps)
10. Jack Debreczeni (Rebel #71, 5 Rebels Caps)
11. Tom English (Rebel #50, 25 Rebels Caps)
12. Mitch Inman (Rebel #35, 44 Rebels Caps)
13. Tamati Ellison (Rebel #62, 15 Rebels Caps)
14. Dom Shipperley (0 Rebels Caps)*
15. Mike Harris (0 Rebels Caps)*
Reserves:
16. Ben Whittaker (0 Rebels Caps)*
17. Cruze Ah-Nau (Rebel #59, 12 Rebels Caps)
18. Paul Alo-Emile (Rebel #44, 34 Rebels Caps)
19. Sam Jeffries (Rebel #74, 1 Rebels Cap)
20. Scott Fuglistaller (Rebel #45, 32 Rebels Caps)
21. Luke Burgess (Rebel #56, 16 Rebels Caps)
22. Bryce Hegarty (Rebel #54, 21 Rebels Caps)
23. Sefanaia Naivalu (0 Rebels Caps)**
* Denotes Rebels debut
** Denotes Super Rugby debut
Courtesy of the Rebels
Related Posts
« Canes name their side for Super Rugby opener, Thrush out for four weeks DHL Stormers announce team to take on the Bulls »
