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Wallabies World Cup hopeful to return from injury against the Sunwolves

Jordan Uelese (Photo by Hannah Peters / Getty Images )

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Melbourne have included World Cup hopeful Jordan Uelese on the bench for their must-win Super Rugby clash with the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.

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Hooker Uelese is set to make his first appearance of the season since undergoing a knee reconstruction almost a year ago, taking on a Sunwolves team featuring former teammate and Australian Super Rugby player of the year Amanaki Mafi.

The Rebels have again resisted starting five-eighth recruit Matt Toomua, while Test lock Adam Coleman has overcome a troublesome shoulder injury to be named in the starting side.

Despite resting a “flat” Anaru Rangi, Melbourne coach Dave Wessels said he didn’t consider starting Uelese, with ex-Waratah Hugh Roach getting the No.2 jersey.

“I think Jordie’s got to earn his way back into the team,” Wessels said on Thursday.

“I think both Roachie and Anaru have been playing well and it wouldn’t be right for a guy to leap-frog them until he’s had the opportunity to earn that spot.

“But to give Jordie his due, he’s in the best physical shape that I’ve ever seen so I’m looking forward to what he’s going to bring.”

Wessels said Coleman was also in great shape, having focused on his conditioning in an interrupted season, and expected him to bring a “presence”.

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The last time the teams met the Rebels had a 45-10 victory but Wessels predicted a sterner test in Tokyo with explosive ball-carrier Mafi in the backrow.

The No.8 left the Rebels in disgrace at the end of last season, accused of assaulting a teammate following their final round game in New Zealand.

He didn’t play when the Sunwolves were crushed 33-0 by the Brumbies in their last outing before their bye.

With four rounds to play, including games against the defending champion Crusaders and Waratahs, the Rebels need to bank the win against the lowly Sunwolves to help secure a maiden finals berth.

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Wessels said it would be naive to think his players hadn’t done the maths but all they needed to think about was winning.

“We haven’t talked about it but the reality is that we’ve got to do our thing.

“It’s such a funny comp with everyone knocking off everyone else and there’s a lot of rugby to be played so all you can control is your own performance.”

Rebels: Dane Haylett-Petty (c), Jack Maddocks, Reece Hodge, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Richard Hardwick, Angus Cottrell, Ross Haylett-Petty, Adam Coleman, Matt Philip, Sam Talakai, Hugh Roach, Matt Gibbon. Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Tetera Faulkner, Jermaine Ainsley, Sam Jeffries, Rob Leota, Michael Ruru, Matt Toomua, Tom English.

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Nickers 24 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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