Jono Lance will make his return from injury in the Force’s opening 2017 trial on the Gold Coast next week.
Lance was a late inclusion in the team’s Brisbane Tens squad earlier this week and has worked his way back from a broken arm sustained in last year’s Wallaby XV match against the French Barbarians.
The Force have named a relatively strong lineup for the clash, including Wallabies fullback Dane Haylett-Petty and winger Luke Morahan, but 2016 Test debutant Adam Coleman is still out with a knee injury.
Captain Ben McCalman will be a major absentee from the cross-country trip, still recovering from thumb surgery.
New centre pairing Curtis Rona and Bill Meakes will have another chance to prove themselves, after a strong debut against the Spirit in their recent intra-club trial.
Meanwhile, Heath Tessman will start at hooker over Tatafu Polota-Nau as coach Dave Wessels manages his combinations leading into their first Super Rugby game, against the Waratahs.
The Force take on the Rebels on Monday at Bond University, kicking off at 6:30pm AEDT.
TEAM
Force starting team to take on Rebels
1. Pek Cowan
2. Heath Tessmann
3. Shambeckler Vui
4. Matt Philip
5. Ross Haylett-Petty
6. Kane Koteka
7. Richard Hardwick
8. Brynard Stander
9. Ryan Louwrens
10. Jono Lance
11. Chance Peni
12. Bill Meakes
13. Curtis Rona
14. Luke Morahan
15.Dane Haylett-Petty
