Aussie latest – Rebels bolstered
13 Apr 2011
Keo.co.za brings you the latest news from Australia’s Super Rugby franchises.
Rebels bolstered - The Melbourne Rebels have reshuffled their backline to accommodate the return of fit-again players for their match against the Highlanders in Perth.
Mark Gerrard shifts to midfield, with Richard Kingi named at fullback. Winger Cooper Vuna is reinstated to the starting line-up with Lachlan Mitchell moving to the right wing after a stint at centre. Luke Rooney relegated to the bench.
In the forwards Rodney Blake replaces Nic Henderson at loose-head prop. Flanker Hoani Macdonald will make his return from a long-term hand injury on the bench.
Rebels - 15 Richard Kingi, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mark Gerrard, 12 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Rodney Blake.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Adam Byrnes, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Hoani Macdonald, 21 Luke Rooney, 22 Afusipa Taumoepeau.
Beale shifts to Rebels? - Australia’s leading rugby writer Greg Growden reports that Kurtley Beale will announce a move to the Rebels shortly.
Growden writes that a lucrative package tempted Beale, who has been with the Waratahs since 2005. In that time he has established himself as a key player whose loss will be felt by a franchise with aspirations on the Super Rugby title.
