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Hunt returns as Reds shuffle for Rebels

Cape Town - The Reds have made a number of changes for their match with the Rebels, with Karmichael Hunt’s return from a knee injury prompting a shuffle in the backline.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 11:45 SA time.

Hunt will resume his regular role as starting fullback, with Duncan Paia’aua shifting back to inside centre and captain Samu Kerevi to outside centre.

Scrumhalf Nick Frisby also returns to the starting side in place of James Tuttle, with Moses Sorovi brought into the matchday 23 as reserve scrumhalf.

The only other change to the starting XV sees Campbell Magnay earn a nod on the wing ahead of Izaia Perese, who has moved to the bench.

Loose forward Adam Korczyk has also been brought back into the matchday 23 for the first time in three weeks, taking the place of Leroy Houston.  

"It’s great to be able to bring Karmichael back into the side, he has been in fantastic form. He’s arguably our most consistent player and the physicality and chat he brings to the game provides his teammates with a lot of confidence, which allows us to play our best football. He was sorely missed last week," Reds coach Nick Stiles said.

"In terms of the other changes in the backline, we’ve been happy with the development of Bobby (James Tuttle) and Izaia, but both Nick and Campbell deserve an opportunity in the starting side after working hard in the background to get back to their best.

"We've brought Moses into the reserves because he is a different style of player to Nick and Bobby and feel he can provide a spark off the bench if needed.

"The Rebels will be a tough challenge. Both sides are coming off disappointing losses so there’s no shortage of motivation."

Teams:

Rebels

15 Reece Hodge, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a (captain), 6 Hugh Sinclair, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 James Hanson, 1 Toby Smith 

Substitutes: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Fereti Sa’aga, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Sean McMahon, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Will Miller, 23 Jack Maddocks

Reds

15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Campbell Magnay, 13 Samu Kerevi (captain), 12 Duncan Paia'aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 George Smith, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Lukhan Tui, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sef Fa'agase

Substitutes: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Kirwan Sanday, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Izaia Perese

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