Axed Melbourne Rebels star and Wallabies playmaker James O’Connor has been relegated to the bench for his side’s final Super Rugby game of the season against the Highlanders this Friday.
O’Connor’s exclusion from the starting side comes just days after he was advised he would not be offered a contract at the Rebels for 2014.
The Rebels put out a team list on Wednesday saying O’Connor had been named on the bench as he had not trained with the team since being selected in the Wallabies for the British and Irish Lions Series.
The statement also said O’Connor would train for the first time at the Rebels captain’s run on Thursday following an injury he sustained in the final Wallabies Test in Sydney.
Meanwhile, outgoing winger Cooper Vuna has been named to return on the wing and Angus Roberts will cover at fullback for the match at AAMI Park.
Gareth Delve will captain the side in what will be his last game for the franchise.
Rebels: Angus Roberts, Jason Woodward, Tom English, Rory Sidey, Cooper Vuna, Bryce Hegarty, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve (c), Scott Fuglistaller, Scott Fuglistaller, Jarrod Saffy, Cadeyrn Neville, Hugh Pyle, Laurie Weeks, Ged Robinson, Nic Henderson. Res: Shota Horie, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Jones, Jordy Reid, Nic Stirzaker, James O’Connor, Kimami Sitauti.