Danny Cipriani is back from a hamstring injury and straight into the Melbourne No.10 shirt for this week’s must-win Super Rugby clash with the Blues, as one of several changes for the struggling Rebels.
With just one win to their name from the opening five weeks of the competition, coach Damien Hill says he can still see improvement in his side ahead of their Thursday night clash at AAMI Park.
For just the second time this year, the Rebels will field Nick Phipps, Danny Cipriani and James O’Connor as their No.9, 10 and 12 combination.
Mitch Inman returns to the side at outside centre, with Lloyd Johansson dumped to the interchange bench.
Hill says he’s excited about Michael Lipman getting a start in the back-row at No.7 and is hoping Rodney Blake can make a fist of his first start in the front row.
Richard Kingi also returns from injury on the bench, while in-form back Lachlan Mitchell moves to the wing to accommodate Inman at No.13.
“We are not exactly where we wanted to be but we are making improvements week in week out, putting together some solid blocks of football,” Hill said.
“We need to put together a good 80 minutes against the Blues who are also looking for a win. They’re a very talented outfit with All Blacks from the front row all the way down to their outside backs.”
Last week, the Rebels capitulated in defence in the second half to concede seven tries and go down 43-12.
For the Blues, captain Keven Mealamu is back while fellow All Black Piri Weepu has been benched.
Hooker Mealamu returns for the match in Melbourne after missing the last-start 26-25 loss to the Hurricanes through injury.
But fellow World Cup winner Weepu drops to the bench after failing to shine at five-eighth against the Hurricanes, making way for the return of specialist No.10 Gareth Anscombe.
The Blues also regain dangerman Rene Ranger, who comes back on the left wing after serving a suspension.
Ranger replaces the injured David Raikuna as part of a back-three reshuffle in which Rudi Wulf moves from left wing to fullback and Lachie Munro from fullback to the right wing.
Teams
Rebels: Nic Henderson, Adam Freier, Rodney Blake, Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle, Jarrod Saffy, Michael Lipman, Gareth Delve (capt), Nick Phipps, Danny Cipriani, Mark Gerrard, James O’Connor, Mitch Inman, Lachlan Mitchell, Kurtley Beale. Res: Ged Robinson, Laurie Weeks, Alister Campbell, Tim Davidson, Richard Kingi, Julian Huxley, Lloyd Johansson.
Blues: Rudi Wulf, Lachie Munro, Benson Stanley, Ma’a Nonu, Rene Ranger, Gareth Anscombe, Alby Mathewson, Brad Mika, Daniel Braid, Chris Lowrey, Ali Williams, Filo Paulo, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu (capt), Tony Woodcock. Res: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Liaki Moli, Dan Pryor, Piri Weepu, Michael Hobbs, Hadleigh Parkes.