Form Rebels winger to sit out match with Stormers

Injured Wallabies back Jack Maddocks will miss Melbourne’s Super Rugby clash with the Stormers on Friday night as the Rebels look to extend their lead at the top of the Australian conference.

Maddocks is among four changes to their starting XV for the AAMI Park match as they look to bank their first win this season over a South African opponent, which Rebels coach Dave Wessels described as a “mini milestone”.

The Melbourne winger is out with a minor knee injury, with his place taken by Australian under 20s flyer Semisi Tupou.

“Jack’s got tendonitis in his patella but he will be right to go next week,” Wessels said.

“He’s also played seven games in a row and a lot of minutes so we thought it was appropriate for him to have a rest.

“The decision is made a lot easier when a guy like Semisi trains as well as he does and played well in the minutes he had against the Sunwolves.”

Lock Matt Philip has a bruised heel and hooker Anaru Rangi has an ankle issue, while prop Sam Talakai has been rotated into the starting side in place of Jermaine Ainsley.

Wessels said the injured trio could have played if pushed, but thought it was a chance to show faith in the wider squad.

The Rebels are gunning for a third successive victory to push out their seven-point conference lead over the second-placed NSW Waratahs, who have a bye.

Melbourne face NSW in Sydney the following round but Wessels said they couldn’t afford to look ahead, with the Stormers more of a danger than their run of three losses suggested.

“I don’t think the Stormers played particularly well against the Reds last week and I think they will be frustrated by that, which is dangerous for us,” he said.

“They very nearly beat the Hurricanes and played well in large parts against the Blues so they’re a good side.

“We haven’t given much thought to the Waratahs as we’ve got a huge game this week.”

Rebels: Reece Hodge, Semisi Tupou, Tom English, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Angus Cottrell (capt), Luke Jones, Adam Coleman, Ross Haylett-Petty, Sam Talakai, Robbie Abel, Tetera Faulkner. Reserves: Hugh Roach, Matt Gibbon, Jermaine Ainsley, Esei Ha’angana, Rob Leota, Richard Hardwick, Michael Ruru, Campbell Magnay.