Like London buses, you wait a lifetime for a Super Rugby match and then two come at once. Hot on the heels of last week’s memorable debut against the Waratahs, the Melbourne Rebels are in action again, this Friday, against the Brumbies.
The quick turnaround means Rod Macqueen’s side has an immediate opportunity to get points on the board after last week’s 43-0 defeat while it also provides an opportunity for the Rebel Army to consolidate The Stockade as the number one rugby destination in Australia.
The Brumbies will make the short trip from Canberra in good spirits after a 28-20 home victory over the Chiefs in round one. The try count was even, at three apiece, but the reliable boot of captain Matt Giteau brought the Brumbies home. With Giteau, and fellow Wallabies, like Adam Ashley-Cooper and Steve Moore on song, the competition’s intensity shows no sign of abating for the Rebels.
The Rebels will be without five-eighth James Hilgendorf and flanker Hoani MacDonald for the second Australian derby of the season after both copped knocks in the defeat to the Waratahs. MacDonald’s broken hand will sideline him for around five weeks, while Hilgendorf is expected to be out for at least that amount of time with a damaged AC joint. Cooper Vuna’s injured shoulder will be assessed during the week.
The contest with the Brumbies will stir plenty of emotions in a number of Rebels who share rich histories with the Canberra-based side. Amongst these, Head Coach, Rod Macqueen, was the Brumbies’ foundation coach, captain, Stirling Mortlock, played for the franchise over 100 times; Julian Huxley had two spells with the club, while Mark Gerrard won a championship with them in 2004.
No comments:
Post a Comment