Naivalu injury triggers Rebels reshuffle
Sefa Naivalu's season ending ankle injury has triggered a Rebels backline reshuffle amid eight changes to the 23 that will take on the Force.
Naivalu scored a spectacular double against Italy before badly twisting his ankle and in the wash up, he was ruled out of the remainder of the Super Rugby season.
That has forced Tony McGahan's hand, with Reece Hodge shifting into inside centre from fullback, pushing Mitch Inman to outside centre and Tom English onto the wing.
Jonah Placid will fill Hodge's boots at fullback, while Jackson Garden-Bachop has been recalled into the starting XV at flyhalf in place of Ben Volavola.
Up front, Murray Douglas comes into the second row for his first start since round four, with Laurie Weeks given the nod at tighthead prop.
Douglas' inclusion sees Lopeti Timani shift back to blindside flanker, with Hugh Sinclair relegated to bench duties.
Australian U20s stars Jordan Uelese and Sione Tuipulotu have also been included on the bench, alongside fellow U20s talent Jack Maddocks, who returns from a wrist injury that kept him from the World Rugby U20s Championship.
The Rebels face the Force at nib Stadium on Friday night, kicking off at 9:55pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and on radio at RUGBY.com.au.
TEAM
Rebels team to face the Force
1. Toby Smith
2. James Hanson
3. Laurie Weeks
4. Murray Douglas
5. Steve Cummins
6. Lopeti Timani
7. Colby Fainga’a
8. Amanaki Mafi
9. Nic Stirzaker (C)
10. Jackson Garden-Bachop
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Reece Hodge
13. Mitch Inman
14. Tom English
15. Jonah Placid
Reserves
16. Jordan Uelese
17. Cruze Ah Nau
18. Fereti Sa’aga
19. Culum Retallick
20. Hugh Sinclair
21. Ben Meehan
22. Sione Tuipulotu
23. Jack Maddocks
