Melbourne Rebels Round 3 Team Announcement

Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 5:37 AM
Rebels Media
by Rebels Media
The Melbourne Rebels have named their Match Day 23 for Friday night's clash with the Fiji Drua.
The Melbourne Rebels have named their Match Day 23 for Friday night's clash with the Fiji Drua.

Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Kevin Foote has named this week’s Match Day 23, as the Rebels prepare to face newcomers the Fijian Drua in Round 3 of the Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific competition.

Emerging Victorian lock Josh Canham will make his Super Rugby debut, named as starting lock for Friday night’s clash.

The Harlequins’ star has hit the ground running in his second year with the Rebels, working closely under the guidance of Trevor Hosea and Ross Haylett-Petty.

Following a record number of Victorian-based players representing the Rebels in 2021 and the Club’s promotion of eight academy members, Canham’s ascension caps an exciting time for the Victorian rugby community.

Canham will be joined in the Rebels’ Starting XV by the exciting Lukas Ripley, whose power, speed, and physicality has impressed since arriving at the Rebels in August.

Ripley returned to Melbourne on Monday following a successful week-long camp with the Junior Wallabies in Canberra, alongside Rebels’ teammates Eyda Haisila, Daniel Maiava, Mason Gordon, David Vaihu and Zac Hough.

Ripley will make his Super Rugby debut partnering with Ray Nu’u at centre.

Up front, James Hanson replaces the injured Jordan Uelese, while Tamati Ioane makes his first start of his Super Rugby career, named at No.8 with Captain Michael Wells shifting to blind-side flanker.

Joe Powell and Matt To’omua will combine for a second consecutive match, while Carter Gordon has been recalled to the Starting XV, replacing the suspended Reece Hodge at full-back.

Joining Canham and Ripley in making their debut is New Zealander Josh Hill, who has been named as reserve lock on a new-look bench alongside Rhys Van Nek, Victorian Isaac Aedo Kailea and hooker Efi Ma’afu, who is set to play his first game for the Rebels since 2020’s final against the Queensland Reds.

Meanwhile utility back Nick Jooste will also make his Melbourne Rebels debut, with Sam Wallis, James Tuttle and Ilikena Vudogo rounding out the Match Day 23.

The Rebels have been decimated by injury in recent weeks with 14 key players now unavailable through injury or suspension including capped Wallabies Reece Hodge, Andrew Kellaway, Rob Leota, Jordan Uelese and Richard Hardwick, and Australian squad members Trevor Hosea, Pone Faamausili and Josh Kemeny.

Experienced duo Ross Haylett-Petty and George Worth are also absent joining Samoan International Stacey Ili and Australian Sevens’ trio Joe Pincus, Lachie Anderson, and Jeral Skelton on the sidelines.

With injuries mounting, Friday night’s clash will provide a great opportunity for Australian rugby’s next generation to stake their claim at the Super Rugby level.

Melbourne Rebels Head Coach Kevin Foote said he was thrilled to see the hard work by the Club’s younger players rewarded with senior selection.

“I’m thrilled for Josh and Lukas winning starting selection this week,” said Foote.  

“Both players have been diligent in their preparation and game development since arriving at our Club and so it's great to see their hard work and perseverance rewarded with senior selection.   

“Nick Jooste has been another player who’s impressed us this pre-season and he’s won his opportunity, while Josh Hill will make his Rebels’ debut after arriving at our Club last month. 

“We’re really excited for this week’s clash against the Drua at Sunshine Coast Stadium, but also our love and thoughts go out to the people of Queensland who have been impacted by these devastating floods.”  

Melbourne will face a determined Drua side searching for their first taste of victory following two hard fought games to start their inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Friday’s clash was originally set to be played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, however the game will now take place at Sunshine Coast Stadium due to the devastating floods across Queensland.

The Melbourne Rebels clash with the Fijian Drua in Round 3 of the Super Rugby Pacific season, kicking off at 7:45 PM AEDT. The match will be shown ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sports.

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