The Melbourne Rebels plan to unleash their twin super-boots Jack Debreczeni and Reece Hodge as they chase an elusive first Super Rugby win in South Africa.
The Rebels are facing the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) and hope their kickers can extend themselves at altitude.
Five-eighth Debreczeni has previously slotted a penalty from 50m out while rookie fullback Hodge is also a noted goalkicker.
The Bulls are expected to play a traditional style meaning they will also rely on their set-piece and kickers rather than running the ball.
Wallabies backrower Sean McMahon, captaining the Rebels with Nic Stirzaker still sidelined, said they will look to take advantage of the above-sea level conditions.
“They’ve (Debreczeni and Hodge) got massive boots and it would be silly not to use those skills that they’ve got,” McMahon said.
“If the opportunity comes and we can nail it from far out I’m sure we’re going to take that opportunity.”
The Rebels opened their season with a 25-19 win over the Western Force before the Bulls were first-round losers at the hands of the Stormers.
Melbourne have been rocked by serious injuries to utility back Mike Harris and flanker Colby Fainga’a, however Debreczeni, who missed the win through illness, has made a full recovery.
McMahon said a first win on South African soil was added motivation.
“Definitely – the Bulls are a big, physical side so it’s going to be big test for us but we’re training well so it’s a big opportunity,” he said.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
So the dust has settled on the inaugural United Rugby Championship tournament, with the Stormers celebrating a deserved first championship win over the Bulls…
At 37 years old, Morne Steyn kicked a winning penalty to secure South Africa’s back-to-back victory over the British Irish Lions. Steyn broke Lions…
In his novel A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickins said, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it…
The 2019 season saw the departure of many big names from the Bulls: star playmaker Handre Pollard, agile line-breaking centre Jesse Kriel, and their…
Morne Steyn had been a first-fiddle Springboks flyhalf, before being replaced by the emergence of Pat Lambie and Handre Pollard. It has been a…
South Africa fullback Warrick Gelant has made the switch from the Pretoria-based Bulls to Super Rugby rivals the Cape Town Stormers. Gelant, 25, will…
