Sunwolves
36
Match Complete
Rebels
27
| 75 |  | R. Hodge | ||
| 75 |  | A. Deegan | ||
| 65 | | M. Toomua | ||
| 64 | | A. Kellaway | ||
| G. April | | 61 | ||
| G. April | | 60 | ||
| G. April | | 41 | ||
| J. Dargaville | | 40 | ||
| G. April |  | 35 | ||
| 30 | | D. Haylett-Petty | ||
| G. April | | 27 | ||
| T. Tasi | | 25 | ||
| 22 | | A. Rangi | ||
| G. April | | 19 | ||
| J. Bregvadze | | 18 | ||
| 14 | | M. Toomua | ||
| K. Moriya | | 8 |
| 5 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Sunwolves begin their last campaign in Super Rugby with a home game against the Rebels. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 2:45pm AEDT.
As we come to terms with the Sunwolves’ very sad axing from Super Rugby in 2021, they have to their credit attracted some interesting names to play out their final season.
Former NRL and England star Ben Te’o will make his Sunwolves debut after being named to start at inside centre against the Rebels.
Former Brumby James Dargaville is at fullback and former Reds loose forward Jake Schatz has been named co-captain.
The new-look side also features a South African halves combination in Rudy Paige and Garth April.
Meanwhile the Rebels are set to field as many as eight debutants.
Coach Dave Wessels has given Fiji international Frank Lomani first crack at halfback and as expected he will partner No 10 Matt To’omua.
Former Waratahs flyer Andrew Kellaway is on the left wing while the bench is stacked with young talent, including Steve Misa, Cameron Orr, Theo Strang and Andrew Deegan.
Other new Rebels faces on the bench are Ruan Smith and Michael Wells as Wessels opts for a six forwards, two backs split.
If the Rebels are looking for areas for improvement, the forwards are the main issue, especially with the front row being fairly untested. After spending most of 2019 on the sidelines, star Wallaby Jordan Ulese will once again miss the first few rounds through injury. The loss of Adam Coleman is not as big as a worry – he missed a lot of game time last season with various injuries – and one expects Matt Phillip and Luke Jones to step up and fill the void.
Prediction
This will be a difficult season for the Sunwolves, playing every opponent that is guaranteed a future in Super Rugby. With their days numbered, you can only expect the squad to provide professional performances. With that in mind, the Rebels are deserved favourites as the team from Japan wrestles with earning wins and making peace with their unfortunate fate beyond 2020.
Rebels by 14.
Game information
Time: 2:45pm (AEDT)
Venue: Level5 Stadium, Fukuoka
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Sunwolves $7.00, Rebels $1.10
Sunwolves squad (15-1)
James Dargaville, Siosaia Fifita, Keisuke Moriya (co-c), Ben Te’o, Tautalatasi Tasi, Garth April, Rudy Paige, Jake Schatz (co-c), Shunsuke Nunomaki, Brendon O’Connor, Michael Stolberg, Kotaro Yatabe, Conraad van Vuuren, Jaba Bregvadze, Jarred Adams
Reserves: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Hencus van Wyk, Justin Downey, Mitch Jacobson, Naoto Saitao, Shogo Nakano, JJ Engelbrecht
Rebels squad (15-1)
Dane Haylett-Petty, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Billy Meakes, Andrew Kellaway, Matt To’omua, Frank Lomani, Isi Naisarani, Rob Leota, Angus Cottrell, Matt Philip, Ross Haylett-Petty, Jermaine Ainsley, Anaru Rangi, Fereti Sa’aga
Reserves: Steve Misa, Cameron Orr, Ruan Smith, Luke Jones, Michael Wells, Richard Hardwick, Theo Strang, Andrew Deegan
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yep it’s a cool place.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
They have been my wife and my second team ever since we went to Tokyo to watch them play our Brumbies in 2018. About 20 of us made the trip, we were treated like royalty by the fans, it was amazing. It happened to be my birthday on the day, we went to a pub afterwards, I struggled to pay for anything. It was an absolutely humbling and amazing experience. Love Japan, their people and especially their rugby fans.
ethan
Guest
He didn't sound a happy man in preseason interviews, nor did he look it in the box watching the game. If the coach is down, the team is no chance. Is he going to stand down? Why not do it before the season?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. In general this season apparently
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
This does not bode well for a good year for the Rebs. Best they start pulling out the proverbial.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
After game 1 ?
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah I love them, some of the most memorable games in SR have involved them. I suspect they’ll take a Barbarians attitude to this season and scare the begeezus out of a few sides.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Gut feel.....I have a soft spot for the Sunwolves, it just seemed right at the time.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
Shunsuke Nunomaki had a cracking game at 7. Alert and fast enough to actually pilfer the ball and continue playing, rather than forcing a penalty, which is what usually happens these days. Fits perfectly with the current law interpretations at the breakdown.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Show us where I ever said it pnut?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Dire. But since it’s their first loss to the Sunwolves ever, how is it the same old?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nobody has said that since 2018
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
World is Wessels has given up. D looks like it.
Dean
Roar Rookie
He is a title winning player. A player who actually deserved to play for his country. He obviously was from the wrong school. Had the absolute pleasure of chatting to him in 2010 in Darwin post Reds /Brumbies Trial. A very down to earth and humble man, great to see him leading a team.
Dean
Roar Rookie
I didn’t realise he was a “hand me down”. He was exceptional, I really enjoyed his accuracy and style of play.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Bravo Sunwolves! On the Rebels front Marika was exceptional! Billy Meakes was solid, Isi was excellent, Anaru Rangi was his normal high standard. The rest?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Word is Wessels has thrown in the towel.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Agreed. I can’t understand Sanzar at all. Then again I’ve never really understood them. Way too much deference to the SA part for mine. It would make more sense to use time zones rather than hemisphere to form comps
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Pity the Sunwolves are getting the chop... good positive rugby from a side that plays to win rather than to not lose is good to watch. Ben Teo should’ve topped the list for Australian franchises, incredible that he would land in Japan ... recruitment scouts must have been asleep
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S94Bh3Qez9o&feature=emb_logo