James Hilgendorf takes over from injured Wallabies star Kurtley Beale at five eighth in the Melbourne Rebels team named to play the Brumbies at AAMI Park on Friday night.
The utility will have the vast experience of Stirling Mortlock alongside him with the ex-Wallabies skipper promoted from the bench to replace the injured Lachlan Mitchell at inside centre in the clash with the Australian Super Rugby conference leaders.
Mortlock resumes the captaincy from Gareth Delve as the injury-ravaged Rebels face a test of their depth.
There was some good news, with winger Mark Gerrard named to play despite taking a knock to the sternum in last weekend’s heavy loss to the Hurricanes.
Melbourne Rebels: Julian Huxley, Mark Gerrard, Mitch Inman, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Cooper Vuna, James Hilgendorf, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve, Hugh Perrett, Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle, Caderyn Neville, Jono Owen, Adam Freier, Nic Henderson. Res: Ged Robinson, Rodney Blake, Al Campbell, Tom Chamberlain, Tim Davidson, Richard Kingi, Nic Stirzaker.