Injury plagued Melbourne Rebels forced to make changes ahead of Highlanders clash

INJURY has forced Melbourne coach Tony McGahan to make multiple changes as the Rebels chase history against the Highlanders in Dunedin Friday night.

Coach Tony McGahan gives instructions to players during a Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby tr

INJURY has forced Melbourne coach Tony McGahan to make multiple changes as the Rebels chase history against the Highlanders in Dunedin Friday night.

The Rebels have lost flanker Colby Fainga’a (hip) and wing Tom Kingston (concussion), while prop Max Lahiff drops out of the touring party after contributing to Melbourne’s stirring 32-24 upset of the Brumbies.

Impressive teenage back-rower Sean McMahon returns to the starting 15 along with prop Toby Smith while utility back Alex Rokobaro has been named for his first game of the season off the bench.

In other changes, Shota Horie is named for his first start of the season with Pat Leafa reverting to the bench, while Japanese international Male Sau also earned a start with a fine display against the Brumbies.

Sean McMahon of the Rebels catches the ball from a line out during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Rebels and the Brumbies.

“Colby pulled up a bit sore, and misses out after doing a fantastic job as expected last week,” McGahan said. “It’s a week only, we hope, and both he and Tom Kingston are in contention to return against the Chiefs on Saturday April 12.

“Sean McMahon has played some really good rugby for us so far this year, especially for a guy who hadn’t played any professional 15s and only limited club rugby. He’s adjusted and fitted in well, and we look forward to having him back.

“We slowly embedded Male after he arrived from Japan struggling a little bit with injury, and getting used to training and the team. He’s gathering knowledge and combinations and we thought he was terrific against the Brumbies; Male fits seamlessly into the side.”

Smith returns to NZ for the first time since joining the Rebels from the Chiefs following the 2013 Super Rugby season, and his knowledge of the opposition will play a big part in the Rebels’ preparation for the match.

“We missed Toby for bits and pieces last week, but the four props did their job really well,” McGahan said.

“Toby brings a lot of experience against New Zealand sides and is right at home playing over there, and we are looking for his insight and mental attitude to provide a strong base for us going forward on Friday.

Tony McGahan gives instructions to players during a Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby training session at Visy Park on April 1.

“Shota Horie has been with us four or five weeks and has now embedded himself in the program.

“He has been great off the bench in the last few games, and Pat Leafa has had a big workload in starting all five Super Rugby matches back to back after just one appearance off the bench in the 2013 competition.”

With nine players ruled out due to injury at this point in time, McGahan has faith that the whole squad are capable of making an impact when called upon.

“We do have a long injury list, however every member in the squad needs to play their role and we are confident that they are able to do so,” he said.

“They know when it comes they need to take their opportunity, and this week both Jordy Reid and Alex Rokobaro get their opportunity.”

McGahan is confident Hugh Pyle’s decision to leave the club at season’s end will not be distracting.

“Hugh’s decision won’t influence the performance. We were all disappointed with the decision, because we love having him here, but we understand his dream to play professional rugby in Europe,” McGahan said.

Male Sau (L) in action at a Rebels training session. Picture: Josie Hayden

“We’ll lose players based on our decisions this year, and he made his decision, and we respect that.

“Hugh has played a huge part in the beginning of the club and with the club moving forward over the four seasons and will be sorely missed, however he’ll continue to make his mark in the remaining games this year.”

The Rebels will play in their new alternate strip for the first time against the Highlanders, with Rebels’ Marketing Manager Geoff Kaider pleased to see the team honouring Victorian rugby tradition by playing in a strip with navy hoops.

“The concept for the alternative strip was very much built on the platform of tradition and innovation,” Kaider explained. “With the joining of the Victorian Rugby Union and the Rebels, as one in union, it was the right time to show respect to the heritage of Victorian rugby while still embracing cutting-edge design.

“Working with BLK, we designed a jersey that we feel embodies all aspects of the design brief. The navy blue hoops have been a staple of Victorian rugby jerseys for many years. More recently, it was the feature design of first incarnation of the Rebels — the 2007 Australian Rugby Championship team.

Rebels team to play Highlanders, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Friday April 4 (5:35pm AEDT)

1. Toby Smith

2. Shota Horie

3. Laurie Weeks

4. Hugh Pyle

5. Luke Jones

6. Sean McMahon

7. Scott Fuglistaller

8. Scott Higginbotham (C)

9. Nic Stirzaker

10. Bryce Hegarty

11. Tom English

12. Mitch Inman

13. Tamati Ellison

14. Male Sau

15. Jason Woodward

16. Pat Leafa

17. Paul Alo-Emilie

18. Cruze Ah-Nau

19. Cadeyrn Neville

20. Jordy Reid

21. Luke Burgess

22. Angus Roberts

23. Alex Rokobaro