Reece Hodge to start at flyhalf for Rebels

Cape Town - Reece Hodge will start at flyhalf for the Rebels when they host the Sunwolves at AAMI Park on Friday in Round 15 Super Rugby action. 

Hodge will make his first appearance of the season at flyhalf, with Billy Meakes in the centres and Jack Maddocks on the wing. Meanwhile, Wallabies Dane Haylett-Petty, Sefa Naivalu, Ben Daley and Jordan Uelese all return. 

Haylett-Petty will start at full-back after he suffered a bulged disc in his neck against the Bulls in Pretoria a month ago. Uelese is set to return off the bench after injuring his arm in the same game. 

In the forwards, Matt Philip swaps into the second row in place of Geoff Parling. 

Uncapped prop, Pone Fa’amausili and flyhalf, Tayler Adams, are also in line to earn Super Rugby debuts. 

Melbourne Rebels Head Coach, Dave Wessels: “We’ve picked a side with a nice balance of youth and experience. It’s good to have Dane back in the starting XV - he’s a real leader in the group and everyone will take confidence from having him around. 

“It should a great game. The Sunwolves played some fantastic attacking rugby to beat the Stormers and Reds in the last two weeks, so we know they’re arriving Melbourne full of confidence. 

“Most of all, we’re excited to be returning in front of our home fans at the Stockade (AAMI Park). It’s a critical game for us, so we’re looking forward to putting on a display that Melbourne people can be proud of.”

Teams:

Rebels

15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Reece Hodge, 9 Michael Ruru, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman (captain), 4 Matt Philip, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Fereti Sa’aga


Substitutes: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Tayler Adams, 23 Sefa Naivalu


Sunwolves

TBA