TEAMS: Daugunu OUT while the Rebels go big for Tahs clash

Wed, Mar 17, 2021, 6:00 AM
AAP
by AAP
Rodda try vs Highlanders

We are at the halfway mark of the Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU regular season this weekend, with Round Five kicking off at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

The Rebels return home for the first time in 377 days when they take on the winless Waratahs on Friday night at AAMI Park from 7.45pm AEDT.

Then, it's all eyes on Suncorp Stadium for the Western Force trip east to face the Queensland Reds on Saturday 20 March from 7.45pm AEDT.

Watch every minute of Super Rugby AU on Stan Sport. Hurry, extended 30 Day free Sport trial ends March 28. Get Stan Sport today.

All your team news here from 5pm AEDT ahead of Round Five of Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU.

Friday 19 March 7.45pm AEDT – Melbourne Rebels v NSW Waratahs at AAMI Park, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.

Want to get to the game? Make sure you’ve got your tickets beforehand!

The Melbourne Rebels have kept an almost unchanged side from the team that beat the Force last start, with Ross Haylett-Petty (suspended) forced to sit out the clash with the Tahs.

The Rebels have added some power to their bench though with Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon and Rob Leota all returning from injury for their Weary Dunlop Shield clash.

The NSW Waratahs have made just the one positional change to their starting XV with Harry Johnson-Holmes and Tetera Faulkner switching sides of the scrum.

Off-season recruit Sam Wykes is set for his club debut off the bench after overcoming injury and is amongst four changes to the reserves.

MELBOURNE REBELS (1-15):

Cabous Eloff, James Hanson, Pone Faamausili, Steve Cummins, Trevor Hosea, Joshua Kemeny, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Stacey Ili, Lachie Anderson, Tom Pincus

Reserves: 

Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Lucio Sordoni, Tom Nowlan, Rob Leota, James Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, Frank Lomani

INs: 

Jordan Uelese, Rob Leota, Matt Gibbon

OUTs:

Ross Haylett-Petty (suspended), Ed Craig, Isaac Aedo Kailea

NSW WARATAHS (1-15): 

Harry Johnson-Holmes, David Porecki, Tetera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Sam Caird, Lachie Swinton, Carlo Tizzano, Jack Dempsey, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, James Ramm, Tepai Moeroa, Alex Newsome (c), Jack Maddocks, Mark Nawaqanitawase

Reserves: 

Tom Horton, George Francis, Darcy Breen, Sam Wykes, Jeremy Williams, Henry Robertson, Tane Edmed, Lalakai Foketi

INs:

George Francis, Darcy Breen, Sam Wykes, Lalakai Foketi

OUTs:

Sio Tatola, Chris Talakai, Jack Whetton, Triston Reilly

A few contenders on show in Perth last week!
Saturday 20 March 7:45pm AEDT – Queensland Reds v Western Force at Suncorp Stadium, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport and simulcast on 9Gem.

Get down to the game! Make sure you’ve got your tickets beforehand!

The Reds have also made just the one change to their side with Ilaisa Droasese to make his starting debut in the absence of Filipo Daugunu (personal reasons).

Reserve scrumhalf Kalani Thomas is set for his Reds debut after being named on the bench alongside Hamish Stewart, who returns this week after a one-match stand down.

Meanwhile, Tim Sampson has made three changes to his starting side for their trip to Suncorp with Sitaleki Timani, Henry Taefu and Greg Holmes to run out against the Reds.

Saturday night's clash will mark Greg Holmes 150th Super Rugby clash, and it will be at a fitting location for the former Queensland prop.

Tim Anstee returns after missing last week with injury while Toni Pulu misses out after because a knock of his own.

QUEENSLAND REDS (1-15): 

Dane Zander, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor (c), Ilaisa Droasese, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell

Reserves:

Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Kalani Thomas, Hamish Stewart, Bryce Hegarty

INs:

Kalani Thomas, Hamish Stewart, Ilaisa Droasese

OUTs: 

Moses Sorovi, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu

WESTERN FORCE (1-15): 

Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u, Greg Holmes, Jeremy Thrush, Sitaleki Timani, Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka, Brynard Stander (c), Tomas Cubelli, Jake McIntyre, Richard Kahui, Henry Taefu, Tevita Kuridrani, Byron Ralston, Robert Kearney

Reserves: 

Jack Winchester, Angus Wagner, Santiago Medrano, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Ian Prior, Jack McGregor, Marcel Brache

INs: 

Tim Anstee, Marcel Brache

OUTs: 

Tomas Lezana, Toni Pulu

READ MORE:

RODDA RETURNS: Izack to link up with Western Force

HOMECOMING: Rebels prop excited for home fixture

REFLECTIONS: JOC on Western Force

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