After locking in their maiden finals campaign, the Rebels have named their team to take on the Fijian Drua in Lautoka for Round 15 of Super Rugby Pacific. With a combination of international experience and rising talent, the Melbourne side will take to the field with a firm view on setting the tone for the weeks to come.
It will be a memorable day for the Club and it’s players as Taniela Tupou plays his 100th Super Rugby game in the final match of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific home and away season. As the reliable anchor of the Rebels scrum all season, Tupou has been a key figure in establishing the Rebels as a huge scrummaging threat this year. Joining him will be Mason Gordon making his starting debut and David Vaihu selected as impact, positioned for his first Rebels appearance from the bench.
The sense of enormity of the upcoming weeks is not lost on the group. After a turbulent year off field, and the challenges they have faced, the Rebels have shown that with great leadership, connection and the ability to be resolute through adversity they can achieve great things as one connected group.
Representing their city with pride and performing on the field for their fans has been a key component of Captain Rob Leota’s messaging throughout the season, playing a brand of Rugby unique to the club that would make the Rebels faithful proud.
Carrying all of that motivation into the last game of the regular season, the forwards will be led at set piece by the consistent Isaac Kailea, with Jodan Uelese at hooker and Taniela Tupou at tighthead.
Burn City, Your team!⁰Our first finals campaign,
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) May 27, 2024
The greatest Rebels team of all time⁰Always Fighting // Always Rebels pic.twitter.com/kadrTg97yw
Angelo Smith pairs up with Josh Canham, with both locks serving the team well as the hard-working drivers of the line out with their physical work to set a platform to attack.
Josh Kemeny returns to the blindside flank, with Brad Wilkin named at open side and leading the team from No. 8 will be Rob Leota. The Rebels Captain will look to make his impact early in the game, with his barnstorming runs from behind the scrum at the defensive channels of the halves, matching the physicality of his team’s last run-in with the Drua at AAMI Park.
Carter Gordon returns to flyhalf, with Ryan Louwrens his playmaking partner at scrumhalf. The pair have been leading the Rebels play for the majority of the season, bringing a new level of control to the Melbourne team’s game.
In the midfield, David Feliuai returns to the No. 12 jersey, with his outside partner Filipo Daugunu maintaining his recent form on both offence and defence. The outside centre is expected to showcase his signature step and ability to accelerate to penetrate opposing defences.
Darby Lancaster starts on the wing, with Andrew Kellaway moving to the other side of the pitch on the alternate wing. Mason Gordon gets his first start as a Rebel managing the backfield from fullback, giving Kellaway the ability to focus on working his way into attacking positions that would expose the Drua’s wider channels.
The Gordon brothers will make their first start together, after taking the field initially in Palmerston North and then at AAMI Park. It will be an opportunity for the pair to make the most of their connection as siblings, having played and trained together most of their rugby lives. Both playmakers have demonstrated they possess the skill and polish to connect with their outside backs and maximise gain line with the forwards, their cohesion taking the impact on the team to the next level.
Ethan Dobbins lines up at reserve hooker from the bench, building a steady season from the bench when called upon by the coaches, alongside props Matt Gibbon and Sam Talakai.
Maciu Nabolakasi and Tuaiana Taii Tualima provide options as impact, with both players able to cover multiple roles with versatility and effectiveness across the park.
James Tuttle continues as the preferred scrumhalf replacement and will be key to unlocking the late game for the Rebels. Ordering around his forwards, his input in key moments and leading through action are his specialties; qualities the determined halfback has demonstrated to Head Coach Kevin Foote, who looks to Tuttle as a leader within his group.
Jake Strachan will aid in bringing the late-game fire to the backline, alongside young gun David Vaihu. Promoted to the senior squad in 2024, Vaihu has worked hard in the lead-up to this season, performing well for the Australian U20s in 2023 and pushing his backline teammates throughout the year. Rewarded with a chance to debut, the young gun who is known for his acceleration, footwork and hardiness will be keen to make an impact come Saturday.
The Melbourne Rebels take on the Fijian Drua in Round 15 of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, kicking off at 12:05PM AEST, Saturday, June 1 at Churchill Park, Lautoka. The match will be shown ad-free, live and on-demand on Stan Sports.
Starting Team
1. Isaac Kailea
2. Jordan Uelese
3. Taniela Tupou
4. Angelo Smith
5. Josh Canham
6. Josh Kemeny
7. Brad Wilkin
8. Rob Leota (c)
9. Ryan Louwrens
10. Carter Gordon
11. Darby Lancaster
12. David Feliuai
13. Filipo Daugunu
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Mason Gordon
Reserves
16. Ethan Dobbins
17. Matt Gibbon
18. Sam Talakai
19. Tuaiana Taii Tualima
20. Maciu Nabolakasi
21. James Tuttle
22. David Vaihu*
23. Jake Strachan
*Denotes Melbourne Rebels and Super Rugby Debut
