Match preview, Rebels v Fiji
Melbourne are taking the final steps to Super rugby. They’ve blooded the entire squad, injuries excepted. In two hit outs against Tonga, the Rebels have amassed 97 points and conceded only 13 despite the dynamic attempts of the Tongans pressing for World Cup selection.
On Saturday the Rebels face Fiji, and they’ll be a different story. The top ranked Pacific nation, who currently sit at 10 on the IRB rankings, will face the emerging Rebels in Ballarat, at St Patrick’s College.
The Warriors aren’t bringing their big guns, preferring to expose their fringe players and emerging youngsters. FRU high performance unit manager, Talemo Waqa.said recently on fijirugby.com:
“The majority of the players will be locals but we’ll also be looking at interested players from Australia, New Zealand and Japan. If they have the talent, if they have the country at heart and they would like to showcase their talent to the selectors and the coaches this is the opportunity for them.
“This is where they can come and put their hand up and show what their worth is, [although] no one is going to come in for the Pacific Nations Cup unless they are seen in (either of) these two tours – the Waratahs-Melbourne Rebels and the Pacific Rugby Cup.”
In their last outing, against Japan in the Pacific Cup, the Warriors won 22-8 with tries to Timoci Nagusa, Iliesa Keresoni and Nikola Matawalu. There defence was rock solid, conceding only 1 try on that occasion. Jaoji Dakuvula took 3/6 from the tee.
For the hosts, it’s a game that’s set to settle selection issues. Stirling Mortlock will finally make his debut as a Rebel. On the eve of his return, Mortlock commented on his recovery:
“I guess there’s a lot of excitement… I still feel my body’s got a little way to go but I’m very confident with my back in particular. I’ve been done a huge amount of work on rehab and what-not and getting it as strong as possible… when I was playing prior to the operation, I wasn’t at full capacity”
His return creates fight for the spots outside the Wallaby legend Vuna is the bolter with 5 tries in three games, but Taumoepeau is proving no slouch, with speed to burn and a body that is part wrecking ball and part battering ram.
LukeRooney, a league convert lining up at fullback and flanker Michael Lipman are also set to return from injury in a game format set to revert to a typical format.
The return of Rooney is likely to see Chris Slade return to the bench, despite picking up a contract for the remainder of the pre-season. Lipman, with 107 English premiership games and 10 English caps, bolsters a forward back already teeming with experience.
With that, gone are the 20min quarters and 15 fresh legs at half time. It’s down to business. A starting 15 with a standard bench.
The team line-ups were not available when the article was posted. They will follow when available.
Fiji
Fiji will be lead by Nadroga prop Setefano Somoca. An injured Iosefo Bele will be replaced by Campese Ma’afu, who plays prop for Sydney club North Harbour in the Shute Shield.
The Rebels
Stirling Mortlock, Luke Rooney and Michael Lipman are set to come back from injury, and Huxley still awaits his turn.
Venue: Ballarat University/St Patricks Old Collegians Rugby Club
Kick off 6pm.
Referees:
Match: Nathan Pearce
Assts: Angus Gardner (R1) and Keiran White (R2)
Derek Shaw and Brad Smith.
With thanks to Fijitimes.com, fijirugby.com and melbournerebels.com.au
