Rebels lose skipper for Brumbies showdown
Melbourne Rebels have lost captain Adam Coleman to injury for their highly anticipated showdown with ACT Brumbies at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The Wallabies lock has quickly become a commanding voice at the Rebels in training and games along with being an elite performer.
But the Rebels expect to lose him for a week after he couldn’t overcome sternum soreness following the club’s 37-17 win over Tokyo Sunwolves last round.
A sore Adam Coleman won't play for the Rebels this week.
Photo: AAPFellow former Western Force forward Ross Haylett-Petty, brother of starting fullback Dane, has come into the starting side in place of Coleman as English lock Geoff Parling was also unable to overcome a head knock in time to take his place.
Long-time Rebel Tom English will take on the captaincy for the first time in a Super Rugby match.
Wallabies squad members Richard Hardwick and Marika Koroibete have been added to the bench after overcoming knee injuries, with last week’s hat-trick hero Jack Maddocks extending his cameo role on the wing for another game.
Forward Ben Daley also makes his Rebels debut via the bench, joined by flanker Colby Fainga'a and centre Billy Meakes.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels said his side had to maintain the high standards of play Coleman has pushed since assuming the captaincy.
The Rebels will make more club history if they defeat the Brumbies – the first time the side has won three games in a row.
“Unfortunately for Adam with the travel and a six-day turnaround that he hasn’t pulled up from a knock against the Sunwolves in time,” Wessels said.
“But it’s exciting to welcome back Marika, Dickie [Richard] and Ben Daley.
“Ross also thoroughly deserves his chance to start – he works incredibly hard around the field for such a big man and brings some real intensity in the contact areas.
“We made some more good progress last weekend against the Sunwolves but we need to keep building as a team and continue to play our physical brand of Rebels rugby.”
The Brumbies will bring back Wallabies prop Scott Sio and start flanker Lolo Fakaosilea while Folau Faingaa will make his debut off the bench.
The Rebels host the Brumbies at AAMI Park on Friday at 7.45pm.
Melbourne Rebels: 1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Ross Haylett-Petty, 6. Lopeti Timani, 7. Angus Cottrell, 8. Amanaki Mafi, 9. Will Genia, 10. Jack Debreczeni, 11. Sefa Naivalu, 12. Reece Hodge, 13. Tom English (c), 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: 16. Anaru Rangi, 17. Ben Daley, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Colby Fainga’a, 20. Richard Hardwick, 21. Michael Ruru, 22. Billy Meakes, 23. Marika Koroibete.
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