Melbourne Rebels rocked by raft of key injuries three weeks out from Super season

MELBOURNE Rebels have named five wallabies in its Global Tens squad but it’s those players who will miss the tournament that will have Rebels fans feeling anxious.

Sean McMahon will miss the start of the Super season.

MELBOURNE Rebels named their squad for the inaugural Brisbane Tens.

But it is those players who will miss the tournament that will have Rebels fans most anxious three weeks out from the start of the Super Rugby season.

The second row stocks are particularly battered by injury.

Wallabies star Sean McMahon will miss the start of the season after having ankle surgery last week.

Sean McMahon will miss the start of the Super season.

One lock, Sam Jeffries, is also out with an ankle injury while another, Welsh recruit Dominic Day, has a shoulder injury that could sideline him for the opening round clash against Auckland Blues at AAMI Park.

Pama Fou’s season is over after the explosive winger suffered a knee injury at training last week.

But in a sliver of good news, former Melbourne Storm winger Marika Koroibete has been named for next week’s 10s despite the NRL convert struggling with a minor knee injury.

In all, five Wallabies have been included in the 10s squad: Reece Hodge, James Hanson, Sefa Naivalu, Toby Smith and Lopeti Timani.

Japanese international Amanaki Mafi and Fijian international Ben Volavola will also see some early minutes in their debut Rebels seasons, while former Australian vice-captain — and current assistant coach — Morgan Turinui has been brought out of retirement as the club’s wildcard selection.

Before the two-day 10s event at Suncorp Stadium, the Rebels will play their first pre-season game against Western Force on the Gold Coast on Monday.

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels rocked by raft of key injuries three weeks out from Super season