Rebels welcome back Lachie Anderson for Highlanders clash

The Melbourne Rebels have welcomed back Lachie Anderson to its starting XV for Sunday's clash against the Highlanders at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney.

Anderson’s inclusion is one of five changes to last week’s Melbourne Rebels’ side which gallantly battled the Hurricanes in a gruelling eighty-minute encounter in Wellington.

Fresh off running through his third try of the year – a career-high – Rebels’ Vice Captain, Michael Wells, continues to underline his impressive versatility, shifting once again to number 7, replacing Josh Kemeny, who’s unavailable through injury.

After thriving in the second row all year, Northern Panthers’ sensation, Rob Leota, returns to his preferred number 6 spot, joining the imposing Isi Naisarani in a Rebels’ back row boasting 165 games worth of Super Rugby experience.

Meanwhile bustling lock, Ross Haylett-Petty, has been promoted to pair with Trevor Hosea, while veteran Steve Cummins, looks destined to play his first game of the Trans-Tasman tournament, after being named as a replacement.

Carter Gordon’s strong start to his Super Rugby career looks set to continue, with the exciting flyhalf selected for his second consecutive career start following an impressive New Zealand debut last week.

Joining Gordon for their second Rebels’ start will be Englishman, George Worth, who has been named at fullback after registering 35 metres from 7 runs, during his first start against the Hurricanes.

Andrew Kellaway, Stacey Ili and Frank Lomani, will provide plenty of late game pace and flair to the Rebels’ backline, while Richard Hardwick has been selected as his side’s backrow cover for the second week in a row. James Hanson, Matt Gibbon and Lucio Sordoni will again serve as the Rebels’ front row replacements.

No.

Position

name

NOTES

1

LOOSEHEAD PROP

Cameron Orr

2

HOOKER

Jordan Uelese

3

TIGHTHEAD PROP

Cabous Eloff

4

LEFT LOCK

Ross Haylett-Petty

5

RIGHT LOCK

Trevor Hosea

6

LEFT FLANKER

Rob Leota

7

RIGHT FLANKER

Michael Wells (VC)

8

NUMBER EIGHT

IsI Naisarani

9

SCRUMHALF

Joe Powell

10

FLYHALF

Carter Gordon

11

LEFT WING

Marika Koroibete

12

INSIDE CENTRE

Matt To’omua ©

13

OUTSIDE CENTRE

Campbell Magnay

14

RIGHT WING

Lachie Anderson

15

FULLBACK

George Worth

Replacements:

In order from Hooker to Full Back - Please see notes 2/3

16.

RESERVE

James Hanson

FR HOOKER

17.

RESERVE

Matt Gibbon

FR LH

18.

RESERVE

Lucio Sordoni

FR TH

19.

RESERVE

Steve Cummins

20.

RESERVE

Richard Hardwick

21.

RESERVE

Frank Lomani

22.

RESERVE

Stacey Ili

23.

RESERVE

Andrew Kellaway