With injured halfback Nic Stirzaker the exception, the Melbourne Rebels have named a full-strength squad for their final Super Rugby pre-season match against Samoa.
Coach Tony McGahan named a 27-man player squad featuring Wallabies back-rower Sean McMahon as well as recruits, former All Black Adam Thomson, and Test hooker James Hanson, who joined Melbourne from the Queensland Reds.
Stirzaker, after shoulder surgery last year, has suffered a setback but believes he will be fit for their round-one clash with the Western Force on Saturday week in Perth.
The Rebels were outclassed in their opening pre-season match against the Blues and McGahan said the Samoans would give them another solid workout on Thursday night at AAMI Park.
“We expect nothing less than a big, fast and powerful Samoan team to provide us a real physical test heading into the start of the season,” McGahan said.
“The trial against Samoa gives us an important opportunity to give competitive minutes to those players returning from stints on the sideline and a chance to put into practice our learnings from the Blues trial.”
Rebels squad
Forwards: Cruze Ah Nau, Ryan Cocker, Steve Cummins, Colby Faingaa, Scott Fuglistaller, James Hanson, Luke Jones, Pat Leafa, Sean McMahon (capt), Jordy Reid, Culum Retallick, Siliva Siliva, Toby Smith, Adam Thomson, Lopeti Timani, Laurie Weeks
Backs: Jack Debreczeni, Tamati Ellison, Tom English, Mike Harris, Dan Hawkins, Reece Hodge, Mitch Inman, Ben Meehan, Jonah Placid, Dom Shipperley, Mick Snowden
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