Rebels prop Matt Gibbon is ready for a brutal encounter with the Hurricanes as the club welcomes back Trevor Hosea to the starting side.
The giant Victorian forms an all-Victorian second row alongside Josh Canham for Friday's opening day of Super Round at AAMI Park.
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The 24-year-old is looking to recapture the form that saw him selected in the Wallabies' 2020 Tri-Nations squad, making his return from a foot injury last week against the Western Force.
“We can’t wait to play our first game at home, during a special week for Melbourne,” said Foote via SEN.
“We’ve selected a side balanced with exciting young talent and international experience. Having guys like Trevor Hosea and Josh Kemeny return, guys who are young and just going to grow, is huge."
This shifts Tuaina Taii Tualima to blindside flanker, with Josh Kemeny returning to the bench as he continues his own recovery.
They face a Hurricanes side full of All Blacks experience, with Tyrel Lomax coming into the starting side alongside Dane Coles and Xavier Numia.
"Their forwards are incredibly strong and we're really looking forward to this one," Gibbon told reporters on Tuesday.
"I don't think I've actually ever beaten the Hurricanes since I've been at the Rebels so I've got 50 caps this weekend and it would be lovely to get one up on those boys.
“I’m excited to see how we go against their forward and across that backline (but) we definitely have some things to fix up on the weekend."
Foote has also handed Joe Pincus his Rebels debut, selected at fullback in a back three after starring in their final trial against the Brumbies, crossing for a first-half double.
Towering lock Angelo Smith is also in line for his debut, one of several Rebels who played an influential role in Wests' Hospital Cup-winning campaign.
Gibbon hoping to mark his 50th Super Rugby appearance with a victory, confident they will be better off for 'blowing out the cobwebs' against the Western Force last week.
“That first game is always tough, you’re always going to have to blow out the cobwebs because it’s unlike any trial," he adds.
“There were a few things that we were happy with how they worked but at the end of the game, we really started to fall off our tackles and structure.
“There were a few times in that second half where you could see our attack and defence lighting up which brings us a lot of confidence. We just have to nail it this week.”
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Josh Canham, Trevor Hosea, Tuiana Taii Tualima, Brad Wilkin (c), Richard Hardwick, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Stacey Ili, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Joe Pincus
RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr, Pone Fa'amausili, Angelo Smith, Josh Kemeny, James Tuttle, Lukas Ripley, Nick Jooste
