The Melbourne Rebels have named their line-up to face the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners this Saturday in Osaka for the second annual Rebels - Liners Cup.
Melbourne Rebels Head Coach, Kevin Foote, has named an exciting 25-man team for the clash, headlined by Capped Internationals Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Matt Gibbon, and former Liners star Ryan Louwrens, who has been named Captain for the match.
A commanding presence on and off the field, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will be making his first official appearance for his new Super Rugby Club.
Joining the towering lock will be fellow off-season recruits Luke Callan, Ethan Dobbins, Jack Maunder and Jake Strachan, while Footscray’s Maciu Nabolakasi and Harlequin’s Folau Finau-Vea have also been named.
Meanwhile Alex Mafi will combine with Cabous Eloff and Isaac Kailea in the front row, with the athletic Tuaima Taii Tualima selected alongside Zac Hough and Daniel Maiava in the back row.
Mason Gordon will look to bring his impressive Australia U20’s form to Osaka, with the exciting fly-half pairing with the experienced Ryan Louwrens in the halves.
It’s a family affair in the back three with Glen Vaihu joined by younger brother David Vaihu on the wings, with Jake Strachan named at fullback.
Wallaby Matt Gibbon headlines an extended nine man replacement list, with Ethan Dobbins, Timma Fainga’anuku, Angelo Smith, Brad Wilkin, Jack Maunder, Nick Joose and Maciu Nabolakasi and Folau Finau-Vea rounding out Melbourne’s Match Day 23.
