Melbourne Rebels will welcome back scrum-half Will Genia as one of six changes to their starting side that will face the Crusaders at AAMI Park.
Date: Friday, May 4
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19:45 local (09:45 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Will Houston (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
Genia returns from a hamstring injury suffered during the Jaguares match three weeks ago.
Coach David Wessels has made changes right across the board with Fereti Sa’aga and Sam Talakai replacing Tetera Faulkner and Jermaine Ainsley as the starting props.
Also in the forwards, Geoff Parling makes his first start since the Jaguares match, as Angus Cottrell moves to blindside flank with Colby Fainga’a starting at number seven.
Jack Maddocks returns from a minor ankle injury that saw him be a late withdrawal last weekend in Cape Town. The 21-year-old will start at full-back. Sefa Naivalu’s brace against the Stormers earns him another start on the wing.
“The Crusaders are obviously a good side. We’ll need to be playing at our best and have a little luck fall our way,” Wessels told the Rebels’ website.
“We’re delighted to have Will (Genia) back, he obviously brings great experience and leads our side around the park very well.”
Rebels: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Fereti Sa’aga
Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Tom English, 23 Semisi Tupou
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