Former Wallaby cult figure Radike Samo is in line for his Melbourne Rebels debut against the Super Rugby-leading Hurricanes after being named on the bench.
The evergreen lock has been rushed into the squad for Friday night's match in Wellington after scoring two tries in Melbourne club rugby at the weekend following his return from Japan.
Samo, 38, said he wanted one last crack at Super Rugby after 68 caps with the Brumbies and Reds, while he also played 22 Tests.
Cadeyrn Neville has earned his first start of the season, with lock Lopeti Timani rested, while winger Sefanaia Naivalu has replaced the injured Dom Shipperley.
Five-eighth Jack Debreczeni returns from a knee injury and Ben Meehan has taken halfback Luke Burgess' bench position.
Melbourne are looking for an 80-minute performance after letting the Lions score a last-ditch win last round.
Centre Mitch Inman believes the Rebels are playing their best rugby - but they need to do so for longer to match the Hurricanes.
Inman rated the Rebels' opening 30 minutes against the Lions last round as the best in their five-season history, but said mental lapses proved costly.
In his 50th game for the Rebels and preparing to match up against powerhouse All Black inside centre Ma'a Nonu, Inman said they couldn't afford to lose concentration again.
"Our foundations are there - we've just got to stick the course," Inman said.
"I think we're competitive with most teams; we've shown that with the Waratahs and Brumbies, but we just need to stay switched on, especially in that 70-80 minute mark."
Inman said the players were frustrated and disappointed to have let the Lions game slip away and saw their clash with the competition pace-setters as the perfect way to put it behind them.
"We're very hungry and determined to turn that around and there's no better opportunity to do it than against a team that's hitting their straps and that's the Hurricanes," he said.
While the Hurricanes are resting All Blacks trio, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett and Ben Franks, the Rebels won't take them any more lightly.
"They are well stocked with All Blacks in that side and there's plenty of x-factor and they've gone a bit better with their defence," Inman said.
"They're scrambling well and they're playing more as a team and as a good unit and that's shown with their five wins and no loss record."
Rebels: Mike Harris, Sefanaia Naivalu, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Tom English, Jack Debreczeni, Nic Stirzaker, Scott Higginbotham, Scott Fuglistaller, Sean McMahon, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Jones, Laurie Weeks, Pat Leafa, Toby Smith. Res: Tom Sexton, Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Radike Samo, Colby Fainga'a, Ben Meehan, Bryce Hegarty, Jonah Placid.
