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Queensland Reds
23
Match Complete
Melbourne Rebels
5
| J. Campbell |  | 79 | ||
| H. Wilson | | 48 | ||
| J. O'Connor |  | 38 | ||
| 33 | | B. Wilkin | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 32 | ||
| J. O'Connor |  | 14 | ||
| T. Tupou | | 13 |
| 3 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Super Rugby Pacific opening weekend returns to Australian soil as the Queensland Reds take on the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:45 pm (AEDT).
Both these teams will have different expectations from the upcoming season. The Rebels will really be trying their best to avoid the wooden spoon while the Reds will be wanting to show that their fantastic domestic form in 2021 wasn’t just a one season wonder.
Reds coach, Brad Thorn, has made some eye-catching selection decisions with star players Hunter Paisami and Fraser McReight starting their seasons on the bench. Instead Thorn has gone with Hamish Stewart and Josh Flook in the centres and a back row of Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright and Harry Wilson.
The key halves partnership of James O’Connor and Tate McDermott will start together with JOC making his 100th Super Rugby appearance. These two were in fine form last year and the Reds need them to find that sort of form again if they hope to go deep in the competition. JOC looked out of sorts when he came back from injury in 2021 and fans will be hoping that he just needed some time to get back into the swing of things.
The Rebels have lost some key players with Dane Haylett-Petty having to retire from the game in 2021 due to ongoing issues with concussion and Marika Koroibete playing in Japan.
When you look through their team sheet, the Rebels look like they could be in for a very difficult season. Many fans’ hopes will be pinned on fly half Carter Gordon who knows the Red side well having been part of their development system for a number of years. He’ll have the experienced Matt Toomua providing plenty of support from inside centre and Toomua will need to have a very good game if the Rebels stand a chance.
The Rebels will miss Wallabies Andrew Kellaway and Rob Leota who are likely to re join the team after three to four weeks as they recover from injury.
Prediction
Having lost to the Fijian Drua in a pre season trial game, confidence levels might be a bit low in Melbourne heading into this clash and it’s hard to see them improving much.
Reds by 14.
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT), Saturday 19th February 2022
Live stream: Stan Sports
Betting: Queensland Reds $1.16, Melbourne Rebels $5.30 – odds via PlayUp
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referee: Damon Murphy, Nic Berry
Teams
Queensland Reds
1 Dane Zander, 2 Alex Mafi, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Angus Blyth, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Liam Wright (c), 8 Harry Wilson, 9 Tate McDermott (c), 10 James O’Connor, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 12 Hamish Stewart, 13 Josh Flook, 14 Jordan Petaia, 15 Jock Campbell
Replacements:
16 Josh Nasser, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Fraser McReigh, 21 Spencer Jeans, 22 Hunter Paisami, 23 Lawson Creighton
Melbourne Rebels
1 Cameron Orr, 2 Jordan Uelese, 3 Cabous Eboff, 4 Matt Philip, 5 Ross Haylett-Petty, 6 Sam Wallis, 7 Brad Wilkin, 8 Michael Wells, 9 Joe Powell, 10 Carter Gordon, 11 Glen Vaihu, 12 Matt To’omua, 13 Stacey Ili, 14 Lachie Anderson, 15 Reece Hodge
Replacements:
16 Matt Gibbon, 17 James Hanson, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Thomas Nowlan, 20 Tamati Ioane, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Raymond Nu’u, 23 Young Tonumaipea
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