Rebels RD 5 Team Announced

Wed, Feb 26, 2020, 6:01 AM
Rebels Media
by Rebels Media
Matt To'omua returns to the frame to face the Highlanders
Matt To'omua returns to the frame to face the Highlanders

The Melbourne Rebels have today revealed their Round 5 Team to face the Highlanders in Dunedin this Friday night.  

In a welcome boost for the Rebels, Wallaby Matt To’omua returns to the team after missing last weeks match with a groin complaint.  

Also returning to the starting XV are stalwarts Anaru Rangi and Angus Cottrell, as well as giant lock Gideon Koegelenberg who will be making his Super Rugby run-on debut.  

Headlining the strong bench is the returning Jordan Uelese, who makes his first appearance on the a rugby field since the World Cup in Japan.  

Assistant Coach Kevin Foote was pleased to see to return of so many experienced players into the lineup.  

“Matty had an awesome game agaisnt the Waratahs and showed his leadership,” explained Foote.  

“And really, really special for Jordan who’s coming back from injury after the World Cup; a big body, really good scrummager, (a) set piece forward so good depth to be adding to the squad.  

“Anaru has always been a really good starter so he just took some time off. He flagged a few niggles last week and we know we have to look after the player, make sure he’s OK.  

“Now he comes back to the starting lienup and brings a lot of energy, especially in his defence.  

“Gideon (Koegelenberg) gets a start which is well deserved. Obviosuly coming from South Africa, very physical, enjoys the maul, very good scrummager.  

“And also just work ethic and really good around the boys. He’s really settled in nicely to Melbourne."     

Dunedin was the scene of heartbreak two years ago, when the Highlanders thrilling 43-37 victory cruelly denied the Rebels a place in the post season.

The Rebels would have their revenge though, prevailing over the Kiwi team 24-19 in Melbourne last year.  

Foote understands better than most the attacking threat the men from the south island pose.  

“They can play with a lot of width so if you get narrow on them they will expose you out wide so we got to be conscious of that and you also have to be conscious of the trick plays they come up with.  

“If you switch off for a second they will probably expose you so we got to make sure we don’t get caught with our pants down.”  

The Rebels tackle the Highlanders in Dunedin this Friday at 5pm.

 

No.

Position

Name

1

LOOSEHEAD PROP

Matt Gibbon

2

HOOKER

Anaru Rangi

3

TIGHTHEAD PROP

Jermaine Ainsley

4

LEFT LOCK

Gideon Koegelenberg

5

RIGHT LOCK

Matt Philip

6

LEFT FLANKER

Angus Cottrell (VC)

7

RIGHT FLANKER

Richard Hardwick

8

NUMBER EIGHT

Isi Naisarani

9

SCRUMHALF

Ryan Louwrens

10

FLYHALF

Matt To'omua (VC)

11

LEFT WING

Marika Koroibete

12

INSIDE CENTRE

Billy Meakes

13

OUTSIDE CENTRE

Tom English

14

RIGHT WING

Andrew Kellaway

15

FULLBACK

Dane Haylett-Petty ©

Replacements:

 

16.

RESERVE Hooker

Jordan Uelese

17.

RESERVE LHP

Cameron Orr

18.

RESERVE THP

Cabous Eloff

19.

RESERVE

Ross Haylett-Petty

20.

RESERVE

Rob Leota

21.

RESERVE

Frank Lomani

22.

RESERVE

Michael Wells

23.

RESERVE

Andrew Deegan

 

 

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