The Melbourne Rebels are excited to reveal their squad for this week’s Tour of Japan in what will be a week of celebration, love, and connection between two aspirational rugby clubs.
In what first began as a market leading partnership between the Rebels and Liners in 2019, has since blossomed into a wonderful alliance that has seen the exchange of high-performance staff, player pathways, the sharing of IP and strong commercial and trade opportunities.
Melbourne Rebels CEO, Baden Stephenson, said all Rebels’ players and staff were excited to connect with their Club’s valued partner, immerse themselves in Japanese culture, and give a toast to the Liners recent promotion back into the topflight of Japanese Rugby.
“This week is a major celebration for both the Melbourne Rebels and the Kintetsu Liners, and the wonderful relationship we’ve developed in what was the most significant partnership ever established between an Australian Super Rugby Club and a Japanese company,” said Stephenson.
“The Rebels aspire to be a Club with a global focus and a commitment to supporting our great game and developing into a successful and sustainable organisation through the forming of key relationships, like the special one we hold with Kintetsu.
“Our partnership has seen key benefits to both organisations over the last four years, culminating in the Liners promotion to the recently formed Japan League One last season, which was a fantastic achievement for everybody involved.
“The Liners have a proud rugby history that spans over ninety-years, so to see them back playing at the top level of Japanese Rugby has been a true testament to hard work of both Clubs, who continue to drive success, hand in hand.
“This week will be about celebrating this achievement, our partnership with Kintetsu, the Liners and the Osaka community, and working together to take the next step forward.”
The Rebels will face a dynamic Kintetsu Liners side, eager for the opportunity to test themselves against Super Rugby opposition.
As the Club embarks on its first outing to Osaka since 2019, Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Kevin Foote has brought a strong 23-man squad offering a balance of youth and experience.
Victorian Axemen Angus Blair, Stefan Destounis and Jono Lightfoot will be joined by the likes of Carter Gordon, Sam Talakai, Richard Hardwick, Cameron Orr, and Jordan Uelese.
Monty Ioane, Tualima Tuaina and Josh Kemeny have also been named for their second match of the off-season, following the trio’s impressive outings against the Brumbies in Albury last week.
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach, Kevin Foote, said it promises to be week to remember.
“It’s awesome to go back to Japan and back to our great partners in Kintetsu, in such a great city of Osaka, so we’re really pumped,” said Foote.
“The investment our guys have shown the last two weeks has been great – they’ve connected on the field and also off it.
“Having the opportunity to play another game, another chance to wear the Rebels jersey and play together, will be a really positive experience and we can’t to get over there.”
The Melbourne Rebels face the Kintetsu Liners on Saturday October 15 at 4:00 PM AEST.
