The Rebels have named three debutants in their starting XV and two on the bench for Thursday's Super Rugby opener against the Blues in Melbourne.
New recruits Amanaki Mafi, Jackson Garden-Bachop and Jack Maddocks have been named in the run-on team while home grown rookie Jordan Uelese and Tyrel Lomax have been included as reserves.
Rebels head coach Tony McGahan has named Mafi at number eight which will see Wallaby back-row Lopeti Timani paired alongside Steve Cummins, who will make his second start for the club, in the second row.
The combination of scrum-half Nic Stirzaker and fly-half Garden-Bachop has got the nod the first opening round with Jack Debreczeni to continue at fullback and Maddocks to make his debut on the right wing.
The halves pairing will celebrate milestones with Stirzaker to record his 50th Super Rugby appearance and Garden-Bachop to become the club’s 100th capped Rebel.
The Rebels will be without Toby Smith and James Hanson in the front row after the pair suffered injuries in the final trial match against the Reds while Sefa Naivalu will miss the game after failing to overcome an infection.
“A couple injuries and illnesses during the trial phase has impacted selection for our season opener but the situation presents an early opportunity for players to put their hand up and stake their claim for positions,” said McGahan.
“It’s unfortunate we’re missing key players for Round One, we gave everyone the chance to prove their fitness and availability, but it’s too early in the season to risk the long term health of our players with a big season still ahead of us.”
Substitute hooker Uelese is set to become the third Victorian to make his Super Rugby debut for the Rebels, following Sione Tuipulotu and Rob Leota in 2016, and Jake Schatz is likely to make his Rebels debut off the bench.
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Jack Debreczeni, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Tom English, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Nic Stirzaker (c), 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Jordy Reid, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Cruze Ah-Nau
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Tom Moloney, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Jake Schatz, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Sione Tuipulotu, 23 Jonah Placid
Date: Thursday, February 23
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 19:45 local (08:45 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Ben O'Keeffe, Will Houston
TMO: Ian Smith
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