Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors.
Super Rugby Pacific round 11 continues with the Melbourne Rebels welcoming Moana Pasifika to AAMI Park, Melbourne in a clash that will see some of the biggest men in Super Rugby collide. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:45pm AEST.
Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger has made 10 changes to his side that played against the Chiefs a couple of weeks ago with hooker Ray Niuia, second rower Veikoso Poloniati and flanker Michael Curry the only players in the pack who have survived the cull.
One exciting change in the backs sees the impressive Danny Toala moving from the centres to fullback. It will be exciting to see Toala get some more space and ball and be able to insert himself into the attacking line with some more freedom.
There has been plenty of talk about how the Moana Pasifika side have been treated in this year’s competition – they had to play five times in 16 days earlier this season and then had their match against the Force last week cancelled while they were in the air heading to Western Australia. They will see this match against the Rebels as a very good chance to achieve their second win of the season so fans should expect a powerful and passionate performance.
The Rebels however will not go quietly into the night and are meeting power with power as 130kg prop Pone Fa’amausili will make a popular return to the side after a horrible run of calf injuries.
Advertisement
Key forward Rob Leota continues his return from injury after his first game back last week and he will be crucial as the Rebels look to get forward dominance early in the game. The Rebels are sadly light on experience in the halves and centres unfortunately but they do have Andrew Kellaway and Reece Hodge in the back three – both will need to have good games in both defence and attack for the Rebels to succeed at home this week.
Game Information
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEST) Live stream:Stan Sport Betting: Rebels $1.40, Moana Pasifika $2.90 – odds via PlayUp
Rebels(1-15): Cameron Orr, James Hanson, Cabous Eloff, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Brad Wilkin, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells (c), James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, Ray Nu’u, Stacey Ili, Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge.
Advertisement
Reserves: Efi Ma’afu, Matt Gibbon, Pone Fa’amausili, Josh Hill, Tamati Ioane, Joe Powell, Nick Jooste, George Worth.
Moana(1-15): Abraham Pole, Ray Niula, Sekope Kepu (c), Veikoso Poloniati, Sam Slade, Michael Curry, Alamanda Motuga, Henry Time-Stowers, Ereatara Enari, Christian Leali’ifano, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Henry Taefu, Levi Aumua, Tima Fainga’anuku, Danny Toala.
Reserves: Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Londermuth, Joe ‘Apikotoa, Sione Tu’ipulotu, Solomone Funaki, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Solomone Kata
