Rebels coach Dave Wessels has made several changes to the starting side for tomorrow's round six Super Rugby AU fixture against the Brumbies at Leichhardt Oval @ 11:05 SA time. The Rebels come off a 25-20 win over the Western Force last weekend.
James Tuttle will return from the Super Rugby wilderness on Friday after Coach Dave Wessels named him in the matchday 23 to tackle the Brumbies. It has been 845 days since the scrumhalf last played Super Rugby, following back-to-back ruptured achilles injuries saw him sidelined.
“It’s a great moment for Bobby – the team were really chuffed to see him in there; he got a standing ovation when he was named and also for the medical staff and the athletic performance staff who’ve worked incredibly hard over a long period of time to get him ready,” explained Coach Wessels.
“Bobby is a real team man and has got just real leadership and I think everyone’s just really pleased for him that he’s back in the mix and this is his opportunity now to play some rugby and cement his place in the team.”
The inclusion of Tuttle follows several changes to the backline. Frank Lomani assumes the starting number 9 jersey in the absence of Louwrens, whilst a midfield combination of Andrew Deegan, Matt To’omua and the returning Campbell Magnay will have their first outing together.
Up front, Matt Philip forces his way back into the pack, partnering with tearaway lock Trevor Hosea.
The backrow also takes on a different look, with last week’s try scoring hero Isi Naisarani sharing the load alongside a recalled Josh Kemeny and Brad Wilkin.
Wilkin, like Tuttle, has enjoyed his own injury comeback, returning to the bench last week against the Force in what was his first game of rugby following an ACL recovery.
“Brad’s probably the same – he’s had also a number of significant injuries, but I thought he played really well when he came on and has probably a similar personality to Bobby – he has real leadership potential.”
“We don’t want to put too much pressure on Wilko – he’s a big part of our team going forward and I think some exposure to big minutes now is important, particularly as we start to get towards the finals.
“What we don’t want to do is get there and then you’re suddenly playing guys who’ve never had a run or exposure, so we’re trying to balance exposures and performances as we go.”
As the Rebels aim to make a breakthrough finals appearance this campaign, Wessels took a moment to recognise the challenges facing many of the player's friends, families and fans back in Victoria.
“We got together as a team before training yesterday and recorded a video message for everybody back home.”
“I was just talking to my wife the last couple of days and she talked about how eerie the city is and I think everyone’s doing it pretty tough over there.
“We definitely feel a responsibility to put out a good performance and make those people proud of us and we’re very grateful – we had a huge number of messages from people back home and that really means a lot to the boys.
“We’re pretty motivated to make them proud and to go well.”
Rebels: 1. Cameron Orr, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Brad Wilkin, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Andrew Deegan, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Matt To’omua (C), 13. Campbell Magnay, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Reece Hodge. Replacements: 16. Efitusi Ma’afu, 17. Jacobus Eloff, 18. Vaiilli Fa’amausili, 19. Michael Stolberg, 20. Richard Hardwick, 21. Rob Leota, 22. James Tuttle, 23. Billy Meakes.