Rebels make three changes for Chiefs

The Melbourne Rebels have made three changes to their starting side to face the Chiefs in a must-win Super Rugby match on Saturday.

Tom English and Mitch Inman are back to bolster the Melbourne Rebels for their must-win Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.

The Rebels have made three changes to the starting line-up from the side that lost last round to the Brumbies.

Melbourne are desperate for a win to keep alive their slim hopes of playing in the finals.

Winger English, centre Inman and lock Sam Jeffries have been recalled into the starting 15, while Culum Retallick, Jonah Placid and Siliva Siliva have been named on the reserves bench for the game at Waikato Stadium.

English, who replaces Cam Crawford (broken wrist), and Inman haven't started since suffering injuries in round five and six respectively and their inclusion gives Melbourne some extra size in the backline.

Tamati Ellison makes way for Inman at outside centre.

Jeffries will replace Luke Jones, who failed to overcome a back injury suffered in the 30-22 loss to the Brumbies in Melbourne.

"We gave the players every opportunity to prove their fitness but unfortunately a few knocks from last weekend have forced our hand for Saturday," Rebels coach Tony McGahan said.

"They're all eager to do well and push their cases for the business end of the season."

Despite the Chiefs holding a 3-1 head-to-head advantage going into Saturday's game, little has separated the sides in their previous meetings.

The Rebels only victory over the Chiefs came when they last played in 2015.

"The Chiefs are one of the toughest challenges in Super Rugby, they've built a successful game around a dangerous counter attack, so were looking forward to the contest," McGahan said.

Rebels: Mike Harris, Sefa Naivalu, Mitch Inman, Reece Hodge, Tom English, Jack Debreczeni, Nic Stirzaker (captain), Adam Thomson, Sean McMahon, Colby Fainga'a, Lopeti Timani, Sam Jeffries, Jamie Hagan, James Hanson, Toby Smith. Res: Siliva Siliva, Cruze Ah Nau, Tim Metcher, Culum Retallick, Jordy Reid, Ben Meehan, Jonah Placid, Kotaro Matsushima.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world