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Wallabies Kellaway and Tupou return for Rebels' derby with in-form Brumbies

Taniela Tupou of the Melbourne Rebels. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

The Melbourne Rebels have welcomed Wallabies Andrew Kellaway and Taniela Tupou back into their matchday squad as they prepare for an almighty challenge waiting for them in Canberra.

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Kellaway is back in the run-on side at fullback while Tupou will provide impact off the bench when the Melburnians take on the high-flying ACT Brumbies at GIO Stadium.

The Brumbies, who are coming off a dramatic win over the Crusaders at the very same venue, have beaten some good teams there this season and remain in the hunt for a top-two finish.

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Coach Kevin Foote has named Victorian prop Isaac Kailea in the front row which also includes Jordan Uelese and powerful prop Sam Talakai.

While Angelo Smith and Josh Canham round out the tight five, watch out for the lethal backrow trio of captain Rob Leota, relentless defender Brad Wilkin and the always-dangerous Vaiolinil Ekuasi.

Ryan Louwrens will partner Jake Strachan in the halves, while Nick Jooste joins Wallaby Filipo Daugunu as the centre pairing.

Glen Vaihu starts on one wing with former SVNS Series star Darby Lancaster on the other. As mentioned, Kellaway is of course the fullback to take on the Australian powerhouse.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
5
Draws
0
Wins
0
Average Points scored
37
16
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
40%

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This match is scheduled to get underway at 7:35 pm AST on Friday night.

Melbourne Rebels to take on ACT Brumbies

  1. Isaac Kailea
  2. Jordan Uelese
  3. Sam Talakai
  4. Angelo Smith
  5. Josh Canham
  6. Rob Leota (c)
  7. Brad Wilkin
  8. Vaiolinil Ekuasi
  9. Ryan Louwrens
  10. Jake Strachan
  11. Glen Vaihu
  12. Nick Jooste
  13. Filipo Daugunu
  14. Darby Lancaster
  15. Andrew Kellaway

Replacements

  1. Ethan Dobbins
  2. Matt Gibbon
  3. Taniela Tupou
  4. Luka Callan*
  5. Maciu Nabolakasi
  6. Tuaiana Taii Tualima
  7. James Tuttle
  8. Mason Gordon

*Denotes Melbourne Rebels debut

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S
SK 47 minutes ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

34 Go to comments
J
JW 6 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

147 Go to comments
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