Cape Town - The Melbourne Rebels have named an experienced side to face the Brumbies in their Super Rugby opener in Canberra on Friday.
Kick-off is at 10:45 SA time.
It will be the first opportunity for fans to get to see duo Will Genia and Quade Cooper link up together in Melbourne colours, with the pair named to start at No 9 and 10, respectively.
Cooper leads a list of five new faces for the Rebels, with former Brumbies players Isi Naisarani and Robbie Abel named to face their old side, with Naisarani to start at No 8, while Abel will begin on the bench as the reserve hooker.
Rounding out the list of potential debutants is Shute Shield player Matt Gibbon and former Reds and Waratahs player Brad Wilkin, with both forwards earning a spot in the reserves.
After three years abroad at French Club Bordeaux, returning Rebel Luke Jones, who played 72 games for the team between 2011-2016, will slot straight back into the starting XV, after being named at lock.
Promising forward Richard Hardwick will have the tough task of going head to head with David Pocock, after the Wallabies flank was named to start despite concerns a strained calf could keep the Brumbies vice-captain out of the season opener.
Lock Adam Coleman was unable to overcome an injury sustained from the recent 10-day Wallabies camp, while Reece Hodge has been given further time to come back from his ankle injury.
Teams:
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Toni Pulu, 10 Christian Lealiifano (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Substitutes: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Peter Samu, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Andy Muirhead
Rebels
15 Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetra Faulkner
Substitutes: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Esi Ha’angana, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Rob Leota, 22 Michael Ruru, 23 Semisi Tupou
Who else is pumped to see these two together in action again?
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) February 13, 2019
Quade is one of five new faces in our match day 23 to face the Brumbies. Plus, find out why Adam Coleman and Reece Hodge were unavailable for selection.
Read all about it here! | https://t.co/7Pb4F3KUml pic.twitter.com/DmUReXstlj
