Round 3 Rebels Super W Team Announcement

Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 8:40 AM
Rebels Media
by Rebels Media

Melbourne Rebels Super W Head Coach Alana Thomas has made three changes to this week’s Match Day 23 to face the Waratahs in Sydney.

Fresh off last week’s impressive performance against the Brumbies, Allyssa Lolesio Pua will start at inside centre, replacing the injured Meretiana Robinson, while last week’s debutant, Claire Ryan, has been promoted to the starting full-back.

Annie Buntine will provide late game run alongside Tyra Boysen, who’s set to make her Rebels Super W debut.

Meanwhile the experienced Nuala O’Connor has traded places with Norma Fuaiva’a in the second row, as the Rebels gear up for line-out battle with the top-of-the-table Waratahs.

Melbourne Rebels Super W Head Coach Alana Thomas welcomed the addition of O’Connor’s experience to her starting side.

“Nuala will come straight into the second row after last week’s effort, where she made a great effort coming off the bench and making an immediate impact,” said Thomas.

“She’s a specialist lock and one with great experience so we’re excited to see her go head-to-head with the Waratahs.”

The Rebels enter this weekend’s clash riding a wave of momentum following last week’s thrilling comeback at AAMI Park.

“The energy, resilience and belief to finish that game off, to keep pushing and score that try at the end has given a lot of confidence to our group.

“The improvements we’ve made from week one to last week, it shows we’re more than capable at competing in this competition, so there’s a lot of confidence in this team and clarity in what we need to do to take our game to that next level.”

Saturday’s clash will see the Rebels run out onto the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground for the first time in the Rebels Super W history, a moment that won’t be lost on the playing on the group in what is the Club’s fifth year of Super W competition.

“It’s going to be a fantastic moment."

"The SCG is rich in history and that’s certainly not lost on our playing group.

"It’s a ground you watch on tv most summers with the cricket, and during winter with the AFL, so to now add women’s rugby to that list, it’s going to be a great opportunity for our players, and we can’t wait.”

The Rebels Super W face the NSW Waratahs on Saturday March 19 at 5:05 PM (AEDT). The clash will be shown ad-free, live and on-demand on Stan Sports Rugby.

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