Five Rebels named to take on Portugal in Australia A clash

Thu, Aug 24, 2023, 7:16 AM
Rebels Media
by Rebels Media

Five Melbourne Rebels have been named to take on Portugal in the Australia A clash in France this coming Saturday.

Australia A coach Jason Gilmore has confirmed a strong line-up to face Portugal in Stade Jules-Ladoumègue in Massy.

Sam Talakai will be joined in the starting pack by towering Lock Josh Canham, with a backline that features Lachie Anderson in the number 14 jersey. Matt Gibbon and James Tuttle are set to bring strength and impact from the bench.

Brumbies scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will lead the side, joined by experienced flyhalf Bernard Foley in the halves.

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Foley is one of four capped Wallabies in the backline, with Reds duo James O'Connor and Filipo Daugunu reforming their centre partnerships.

Tom Wright will slot in at fullback, eager to make a statement against Portugal, who are in the Wallabies' pool at the Rugby World Cup.

Standout wingers and Sevens converts Dylan Pietsch and Lachie Anderson complete the backline on the wing.

Pete Samu will start at openside flanker after he was omitted from the Wallabies squad.

He forms an imposing back-row alongside Waratahs enforcer Lachie Swinton and Reds number eight Seru Uru.

Rebels young gun Josh Canham has earned a start in the second row, partnering Cadeyrn Neville.

Recent Wallabies call-up Tom Lambert will form the front-row, joined by Brumby Lachlan Lonergan and Rebels star Sam Talakai.

The bench is stacked with experience, with five players having played for the Wallabies.

This includes the likes of Folau Fainga'a, Matt Gibbon, Darcy Swain, Ned Hanigan and Hunter Paisami.

Reds young gun Josh Flook has also been included, with Brumbies prop Rhys Van Nek and Rebels half James Tuttle completing the side.

The match will not be broadcast currently, with results to be communicated via official channels.

Australia A vs. Portugal
Stade Jules-Ladoumègue, Massy, 8:00pm Saturday 26 August (4:00am AEST Sunday 27 August)
*caps refer Wallabies Tests 1. Tom Lambert, NSW Waratahs

2. Lachlan Lonergan, ACT Brumbies

3. Sam Talakai, Melbourne Rebels

4. Josh Canham, Melbourne Rebels

5. Cadeyrn Neville, ACT Brumbies

6. Lachlan Swinton, NSW Waratahs

7. Pete Samu, ACT Brumbies

8. Seru Uru, QLD Reds

9. Ryan Lonergan, ACT Brumbies (c)

10. Bernard Foley, Japan

11. Dylan Pietsch, NSW Waratahs

12. James O'Connor, QLD Reds

13. Filipo Daugunu, QLD Reds

14. Lachlan Anderson, Melbourne Rebels

15. Tom Wright, ACT Brumbies

Reserves

16. Folau Fainga'a, Western Force

17. Matt Gibbon, Melbourne Rebels

18. Rhys Van Nek, ACT Brumbies

19. Darcy Swain, ACT Brumbies

20. Ned Hanigan, NSW Waratahs

21. James Tuttle, Melbourne Rebels

22. Hunter Paisami, QLD Reds

23. Josh Flook, QLD Reds

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