Melbourne Rebels might be down on stars but not hope in Durban

The Melbourne Rebels will have their work cut out with injuries, including that of their captain Dane Haylett-Petty, to seriously test their depth when they take on the Sharks in Durban.

Melbourne Rebels’ depth has never been greater, but faces its stiffest test on Sunday against the Sharks in Durban.

The absence of several players was compounded by a serious toe injury to captain Dane Haylett-Petty, with the fullback to miss at least six weeks with a ligament issue.

Backrower Angus Cottrell has been elevated to the starting line-up and will also captain the Rebels.

Coach Dave Wessels had decided to rest half Will Genia, arguably the Rebels best player this season, in accordance with orders for all his Wallabies to miss at least one Super Rugby game.

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Captain Dane Haylett-Petty will miss with a serious toe injury.

Winger Marika Koroibete and No. 8 Isi Naisarani have also been rested under instruction.

Wessels knows the changes increase the challenge against a Sharks outfit fresh off a bye. “Jack Maddocks has played a fair bit of time at 15 (fullback) and he’s comfortable there and it’s a great opportunity for (centre) Sione Tuipulotuto to come into the team, who really deserves his chance,” Wessels said.

“We want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and we were for 50 minutes in Johannesburg (in last weekend’s 36-33 loss to the Lions) but we need to do that more consistently in Durban.”

Will Genia will sit out the game against the Sharks.

Wessels has promoted Michael Ruru to take over for Genia at the base of the scrum, one move the coach was extremely confident about.

“Michael is one of those guys who we’d like to model our whole club on,” Wessels said from Durban.

“He doesn’t get a lot of game time because he’s sitting behind a guy who’s really playing well, but he comes to training everyday and is one of the most competitive guys on the field and he never complains.

“We all know what a good player he is, he’s been involved in some really good performances for us and he thoroughly deserves his chance.”

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels might be down on stars but not hope in Durban