New Rebel Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will play his first game for the club on the Rebels' tour of Japan to face Kintetsu Liners.
The eight day tour will culminate with an exhibition match between the two sides on Saturday, October 14, set to be streamed on the Rebels socials.
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He is joined by fellow recruits Luke Callan, Ethan Dobbins, Jack Maunder and Jake Strachan.
Rebels scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens will captain the side, having played for the Liners in between stints with the Melbourne-based club.
“We can’t wait to get back to Japan and engage with the local community and continue the rich history between two proud and aspirational Clubs,” said coach Kevin Foote.
“Last year’s Tour was an enriching experience that strengthened our connection on and off the field and helped set ourselves up for a successful pre-season campaign.
“We’re really excited to touch back down in Osaka, immerse ourselves in Japanese culture, continue building as a group and toast what is a wonderful relationship between the Melbourne Rebels and Kintetsu Liners.”
Foote has included local players Maciu Nabolakasi and Folau Finau-Vea after strong showings in the Dewar and Australian Rugby Shield along with Junior Wallabies Daniel Maiava, David Vaihu, Zac Hough and Mason Gordon.
The Liners will potentially feature Wallabies Will Genia and Quade Cooper, with Cooper left out of the Rugby World Cup squad.
Cooper recently returned to Japan, stating "First day back and straight into it.. wouldn’t have it any other way," on his social media.
"The Rebels and Liners alliance began as the most significant partnership ever established between an Australian Super Rugby Club and a Japanese company in 2019, with the partnership having the clear ambition of improving the on-field performance, growing the game and commercialisation of both Clubs in their respective markets," the club said in a statement.
"The market leading partnership has since blossomed to see the exchange of high-performance staff, player pathways, the sharing of IP, strong commercial and trade opportunities, plus growing the game across both Melbourne and Osaka, using rugby as a catalyst to make strong contributions to the local community.
"The opportunity to reunite with the Club’s great partner, while also strengthening the playing group’s cohesion will be an invaluable experience for the Rebels, with pre-season for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign kicking off in November."
Rebels squad for Japanese Tour
Alex Mafi, Angelo Smith, Brad Wilkin, Cabous Eloff, Daniel Maiava, David Feliuai, David Vaihu, Ethan Dobbins, Folau Finau-Vea, Glen Vaihu, Isaac Kailea, Jack Maunder, Jake Strachan, Lebron Naea, Lukas Ripley, Luke Callan, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Maciu Nabolakasi, Mason Gordon, Matt Gibbon, Nick Jooste, Ryan Louwrens, Timma Faingaanuku, Tuaian Taii Tualima, Zac Hough
