LIMITED CHANGES TO REBELS FOR HIGHLANDERS CLASH
Fullback Reece Hodge has overcome injury to be selected in the Melbourne Rebels’ 23-player team for Saturday night’s game against Super Rugby’s defending champions, the Highlanders, at AAMI Park.
The 21-year-old proved his fitness on Thursday after being sidelined since suffering a quad injury at training on the eve of the Rebels second round meeting with the Bulls in Pretoria.
Hodge, who replaces Sione Tuipulotu on the reserves bench, and James Hanson’s return to the starting line-up at hooker for Pat Leafa are the only change to the 23-player team that claimed a club record 26-point victory over the Sunwolves in Tokyo last weekend.
“We understand the quality of the Highlanders so we need to make sure we’re at our best so to have Nic (Stirzaker), Scott (Fuglistaller) and Reece (Hodge) all back fit will provides us with quality and experience to call upon off the bench during the game,” Rebels Head Coach Tony McGahan said.
Hodge scored the most points on debut by a Rebels player and equaled the club record for points in a match away from home when he scored two tries and 20 points against the Western Force in the opening round of the 2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby season.
Nic Stirzaker and Scott Fuglistaller successfully returned from injuries as second-half substitutions against the Sunwolves last weekend and will again provide an option off the bench for Head Coach Tony McGahan.
The Rebels 23-player team features three former Highlanders with Fuglistaller, Adam Thomson and Tamati Ellison all playing under coach Joseph Jamie during their Super Rugby careers.
The Rebels, who sit second on the Australian Conference ladder following victories over the Force, Reds and Sunwolves, faces their biggest test of the season against the competition’s defending championships.
“The Highlanders have been impressive so far this season, they’ve continued to improve after last year’s championship and set a high benchmark in Super Rugby across all facets,” McGahan said.
Melbourne’s only victory in four outings against the Highlanders came when the two sides last met at AAMI Park in 2013. The hosts came back from 24 points down at half-time to secure a thrilling 38-37 victory in the final round.
The Melbourne Rebels host the Highlanders in Round Five of Asteron Life Super Rugby at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on Saturday from 7.30pm (AEDT). Tickets, from $25 for an adult, are available for Ticketek.
2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby – Round 5
Melbourne Rebels v Highlanders
Saturday 26 March 2016
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 7.45pm (AEDT)
1. Toby Smith
2. James Hanson
3. Laurie Weeks
4. Luke Jones
5. Lopeti Timani
6. Jordy Reid
7. Sean McMahon (captain)
8. Adam Thomson
9. Ben Meehan
10. Jack Debreczeni
11. Tom English
12. Mitch Inman
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Dom Shipperley
15. Jonah Placid
Reserves
16. Pat Leafa
17. Cruze Ah Nau
18. Jamie Hagan
19. Sam Jeffries
20. Scott Fuglistaller
21. Nic Stirzaker
22. Dan Hawkins
23. Reece Hodge
Courtesy of SuperRugby
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