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Mafi excited to take on Japanese compatriots

Wallabies Dane Haylett-Petty, Sefa Naivalu, Ben Daley and Jordan Uelese are all included as the Melbourne Rebels prepare to host the Sunwolves at AAMI Park on Friday.

Haylett-Petty will start at fullback after he suffered a bulged disc in his neck against the Bulls in Pretoria a month ago. Uelese is set to return off the bench after injuring his arm in the same game.

In the forwards, Matt Philip swaps into the second row in place of Geoff Parling.

Reece Hodge will start at five-eighth, Billy Meakes in the centres and Jack Maddocks on the wing – rounding out the changes to the starting line-up from the team that beat the Brumbies a fortnight ago.

Uncapped prop, Pone Fa’amausili and flyhalf, Tayler Adams, are also in-line to earn Super Rugby debuts from the bench.

Melbourne Rebels Head Coach, Dave Wessels said “we’ve picked a side with a nice balance of youth and experience. It’s good to have Dane back in the starting XV – he’s a real leader in the group and everyone will take confidence from having him around.

“It should a great game. The Sunwolves played some fantastic attacking rugby to beat the Stormers and Reds in the last two weeks, so we know they’re arriving Melbourne full of confidence.

“Most of all, we’re excited to be returning in front of our home fans at the Stockade (AAMI Park). It’s a critical game for us, so we’re looking forward to putting on a display that Melbourne people can be proud of.”

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Rebels number eight Amanaki Mafi says he is “really excited” to face a number of Japanese internationals.

Mafi has made 19 appearances for Japan’s national side, including at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and has played alongside several Sunwolves squad members.

There is one player in particular that Mafi is most looking forward to taking on.

“I [am] looking [forward] to playing against Michael Leitch,” Mafi said.

“[However there is] a lot of excitement to face them. You know them well for a long time.

“They know your strength; they know your weaknesses.”

REBELS

1. Fereti Sa’aga, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Sam Talakai, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Adam Coleman (C), 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Colby Fainga’a, 8. Amanaki Mafi, 9. Michael Ruru, 10. Reece Hodge, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Tom English, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty.
Reserves: 16. Jordan Uelese, 17. Ben Daley, 18. Pone Fa’amausili, 19. Geoff Parling, 20. Lopeti Timani, 21. Harrison Goddard, 22. Tayler Adams, 23. Sefa Naivalu.

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J
JW 55 minutes ago
Super Rugby is booming, but is it actually helping the All Blacks?

Theres still the problem of it all being behind doors, no consultation or notice of their decision to remove injury checks on the field, an attempt ambitious but which wholly had failed when it had to be removed half way through the competition. How may they have introduced that better if they had of consulted fans and teams? The new body still has a long way to go to be a real pro body like those mentioned.


I certainly hope they can show they can evaluate feedback and reintroduce the idea in an improved concept next year.

two hemispheres.

LOL are you a flat earther as well Gregor?

The average game length (excluding half-time) was 90 minutes and 11s, compared with 91 minutes and seven seconds in 2024.

This stat combined with the ridiculous amount of overtime played must mean theres more than 5minutes of rugby played in SR than any european competition. Incredible.

As an entertainment product, Super Rugby is starting to rebuild itself as one of the game’s hottest properties.

But what’s not clear yet, is whether it’s is going to deliver on its other goal: a competition with the necessary physical and competitive intensity to prepare New Zealand’s best players for what they will encounter in the international arena.

It has been since it’s formation. It was the second attempt and what the Aratipu report considered the best way forward for the game. Which was a move away from the orginal foundations of SR as being just a test ground for the respective National teams. It was time to make it a financially successful competition instead.

And this is the reality of picking an All Blacks squad in the Super Rugby Pacific era

It’s always been the reality even for Super Rugby, even if much less so for ALL other pro sports.

he was practically hinting to media they shouldn’t always be seduced by what they see in Super Rugby

Sititi was the form SR selection, it’s the only reason he made it in.

This year, there could again be a few surprises. Could Dalton Papali’i– a prominent force for the Blues – miss out to the rugged Simon Parker who has been a workhorse for the Chiefs, carrying with an impact his 1.96m, 117kg frame enables?

That would be selecting of form, not who you believe is best test suited.

but will it be the Highlanders’ Fabien Holland who wins a spot because he carted the ball up the middle of the field thanklessly and relentlessly

Yes hopefully, he’s been the stand out Lock this year.

or will the latter’s deft touches and smart kicking be preferred?

Depends on what the teams lacking.

is it mad to wonder whether the combative and defensively adept Finlay Christie is better equipped to play Test rugby

Yes, he’s been proven to not be good enough.

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