Rebels welcome back Lachie Anderson for Highlanders clash
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The Melbourne Rebels have welcomed back Lachie Anderson to its starting XV for Sunday's clash against the Highlanders at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.
Anderson’s inclusion is one of five changes to last week’s Melbourne Rebels’ side which gallantly battled the Hurricanes in a gruelling eighty-minute encounter in Wellington.
Fresh off running through his third try of the year – a career-high – Rebels’ Vice Captain, Michael Wells, continues to underline his impressive versatility, shifting once again to number 7, replacing Josh Kemeny, who’s unavailable through injury.
After thriving in the second row all year, Northern Panthers’ sensation, Rob Leota, returns to his preferred number 6 spot, joining the imposing Isi Naisarani in a Rebels’ back row boasting 165 games worth of Super Rugby experience.
Meanwhile bustling lock, Ross Haylett-Petty, has been promoted to pair with Trevor Hosea, while veteran Steve Cummins, looks destined to play his first game of the Trans-Tasman tournament, after being named as a replacement.
Carter Gordon’s strong start to his Super Rugby career looks set to continue, with the exciting flyhalf selected for his second consecutive career start following an impressive New Zealand debut last week.
Joining Gordon for their second Rebels’ start will be Englishman, George Worth, who has been named at fullback after registering 35 metres from 7 runs, during his first start against the Hurricanes.
Andrew Kellaway, Stacey Ili and Frank Lomani, will provide plenty of late game pace and flair to the Rebels’ backline, while Richard Hardwick has been selected as his side’s backrow cover for the second week in a row. James Hanson, Matt Gibbon and Lucio Sordoni will again serve as the Rebels’ front row replacements.
No.
Position
name
NOTES
1
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Cameron Orr
2
HOOKER
Jordan Uelese
3
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Cabous Eloff
4
LEFT LOCK
Ross Haylett-Petty
5
RIGHT LOCK
Trevor Hosea
6
LEFT FLANKER
Rob Leota
7
RIGHT FLANKER
Michael Wells (VC)
8
NUMBER EIGHT
IsI Naisarani
9
SCRUMHALF
Joe Powell
10
FLYHALF
Carter Gordon
11
LEFT WING
Marika Koroibete
12
INSIDE CENTRE
Matt To’omua ©
13
OUTSIDE CENTRE
Campbell Magnay
14
RIGHT WING
Lachie Anderson
15
FULLBACK
George Worth
Replacements:
In order from Hooker to Full Back - Please see notes 2/3
16.
RESERVE
James Hanson
FR HOOKER
17.
RESERVE
Matt Gibbon
FR LH
18.
RESERVE
Lucio Sordoni
FR TH
19.
RESERVE
Steve Cummins
20.
RESERVE
Richard Hardwick
21.
RESERVE
Frank Lomani
22.
RESERVE
Stacey Ili
23.
RESERVE
Andrew Kellaway