The Rebels head to Tokyo for the Round 3 clash against the Sunwolves.
In their last meeting, the Rebels were convincing winners, defeating the Sunwolves 35-9. This time around, expect a much tougher challenge.
The teams
After witnessing the record-breaking win last week, you might think that the Rebels team would be unchanged for this week.
Wrong. You are wrong.
In a push to avoid complacency, Dave Wessels did not pick a starting 15 on Monday, as most coaches would normally do. Instead, he ran more training sessions than normal, in an effort to keep pushing the team. Hang on, didn’t they win last week? They did, but as many observed, there is still plenty to improve. Given the quality players who didn’t get a game last week, the starting 15 will have to work very hard to keep their spots.
Fast forward to Thursday, and Dave has made two changes to the matchday 23, with an unchanged starting XV. Coming on to the bench is Geoff Parling and Colby Fainga’a. Sam Jeffries is out after a minor knee clean-up, and Tupou makes way for the 6-2 bench combination.
Geoff Parling will add strength to a very deep bench
The Sunwolves, with only three wins in their short two-year history, pushed the Brumbies all the way last week, eventually going down 32-25. They looked good in larges patches of play, but just didn’t have the finishing quality of the Brumbies. It’s clear the new coaching regime, led by Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown, has already had a big impact on the fledgeling side.
The Sunwolves have a number of changes to the side for this week’s clash. Hayden Parker starts at flyhalf, with Robbie Roberson shifting to fullback. Millar, Quirk and boom recruit Michael Leitch have all been included in the starting XV. Sadly, the Sunwolves lose Saumaki, the two try her o from last week, with a hamstring injury picked up a training.
Key matchups
So, what’s shaping up as key battlegrounds? The Saumaki v Naivalu contest would have been interesting, but given Saumaki’s injury, two other key battlegrounds loom.
The Backrow
Given the team selections, it appears the Rebels have identified the Sunwolves backrow as an area of strength. The Sunwolves backrow put in a big defensive shift against the Brumbies, with Pieter Labuschagne the standout with 22 tackles and three turnovers. The Sunwolves have picked a much more experienced backrow this week, with Michael Leitch coming in at 6. He will play alongside Labuschagne and Ed Quirk. No doubt that target number one is Genia, in an effort to frustrate the scrumhalf.
Michael Leitch – a big inclusion for the Sunwolves
They will face a big challenge against the well-balanced backrow of Timani, Cottrell, and Mafi. With Haylett-Petty and Fainga’a sitting on the bench, there is a lot of versatility in the loose forwards. I expect Mafi to repeat his running game from last week (17 runs, 57 metres), similar the mobile game that Naisarani played against the Sunwolves (19 runs, 67 metres). Another way to help unlock our backline, if Genia gets caught in the crossfire.
Genia v Nagare
What a game the Rebels scrumhalf had last week. From watching in the stands, it looked like he had the ball on a strong. 40 run metres, three defenders beaten, and three try assists. Granted, he had a strong pack in front of him, but it seemed he could do no wrong last week. Well, the only thing he lost points for last week was for that thing growing on his head. Please, tell me what it is, I’m really confused.
Genia – looking for another big game.
Contrast that with Nagare’s game; whilst he kept the ball moving from the scrum base (66 passes), he made no run meters or carries, something almost unheard of from a scrumhalf. If he wants to keep up with Genia, let alone help set the tone, he must increase his work around the field.
Prediction
If you asked me this question a few weeks ago, I would have said the Rebels in a canter. Based on the results from last week, I think it will be much closer. This is an early season banana peel for the Rebels, and they must play with the same intensity they showed last week, whilst addressing the minor technical issues.
I think the packs will be evenly matched, but I feel the Rebels have too much class in the backline, and will capitalise out wide with some great running rugby.
Rebels by 5.
Teams
[one_third last=”no”]
Melbourne Rebels
1. Tetera Faulkner
2. Jordan Uelese
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Matt Philip
5. Adam Coleman (c)
6. Lopeti Timani
7. Angus Cottrell
8. Amanaki Mafi
9. Will Genia,
10. Jack Debreczeni
11. Sefa Naivalu,
12. Reece Hodge
13. Tom English,
14. Jack Maddocks
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Anaru Rangi
17. Fereti Sa’aga
18. Sam Talakai
19. Geoff Parling
20. Ross Haylett-Petty
21. Colby Fainga’a
22. Michael Ruru
23. Billy Meakes
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Sunwolves
1. Craig Millar
2. Shota Horie
3. Jiwon Koo
4. Sam Wykes
5. Willie Britz
6. Michael Leitch
7. Lappies Labuschagne
8. Ed Quirk
9. Yutaka Nagare (c)
10. Hayden Parker
11. William Tupou
12. Ryoto Nakamura
13. Timothy Lafaele
14. Akihito Yamada
15. Robbie Robinson
Replacements
16. Atsushi Sakate
17. Keita Inagaki
18. Asaeli Ai Valu
19. James Moore
20. Yoshitaka Tokunaga
21. Fumiaki Tanaka
22. Harumichi Tatekawa
23. Ryuji Noguchi
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Match Details
Sunwolves v Rebels at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium
Saturday 3rd March 3:15pm AEDT
Referee: Egon Seconds (SA)
[/one_third]
