The Rebels have welcomed back captain Dane Haylett-Petty for their all-important match against the Western Force in Newcastle on Saturday.
After more than a month on the sidelines because of a knee injury, Haylett-Petty has been fast-tracked into the Rebels starting lineup.
The fullback’s timely return has forced a tweak to team’s backline, with Reece Hodge shifting to outside centre where he will partner Billy Meakes.
Matt To’omua shifts to flyhalf and Andrew Deegan drops to the bench, while Tom Pincus has been promoted from the reserves to take the right-wing position with Andrew Kellaway falling out of the match 23 altogether.
Up front, there’s just the one change to the back row where Richard Hardwick comes into the starting side for Brad Wilkin.
On the bench, Australian sevens star Lachie Anderson is in line to make his debut for the Rebels.
Force coach Tim Sampson has also tweaked his side for their final match of the season.
Like the Rebels, there’s just one change to the forward pack with Brynard Stander starting at flank for Kane Koteka, who reverts to the bench.
In the backs, World Cup-winning All Black Richard Kahui drops out of the side. In his absence Byron Ralson starts on the right wing and Kyle Godwin shifts one position closer to the action at outside centre.
Force – 15 Jack McGregor, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Kyle Godwin, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Marcel Brache, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ian Prior (c), 8 Henry Stowers, 7 Brynard Stander, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Ollie Atkins, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 Pek Cowan.
Subs: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Dominic Hardman, 19 Johan Bardoul, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Nick Jooste, 23 Jake Strachan.
Rebels – 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (c), 14 Tom Pincus, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Michael Wells, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cameron Orr.
Subs: 16 Efitusi Ma’afu, 17 Cabous Eloff, 18 Matt Gibbon, 19 Michael Stolberg, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Andrew Deegan, 23 Lachie Anderson.
Photo: Getty Images
