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Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Super Rugby match between the Rebels and the Sharks at Mars Stadium.
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Melbourne Rebels head coach Dave Wessels has made four changes to his starting side from the team that notched the franchise’s first win of the season against the Waratahs last week.
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Perhaps the biggest switch comes at first-five, as Wallabies pivot Matt Toomua has been ruled out of the rare rural contest in Ballarat with a groin injury.
Fellow Australian international Reece Hodge has suffered the same fate, and the duo have been replaced by Andrew Deegan and Andrew Kellaway in the No. 10 and No. 14 jerseys, respectively.
🦈TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Here is your Rebels Team to face the Sharks at MARS Stadium Ballarat this Saturday afternoon 💪
Read more: https://t.co/8ln3T8Pf5q
Tickets: https://t.co/8aIQYKhn1R#MarchWithUs pic.twitter.com/IW6z0JooBj
— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) February 20, 2020
In the pack, two front row alterations have been made as Steven Misa replaces Anaru Rangi at hooker, while three-test Wallabies tighthead prop Jermaine Ainsley slots in at No. 3 in place of Ruan Smith.
Both Rangi and Smith represent two of the three new faces on the bench, with veteran Tom English filling the void left by Kellaway at No. 23.
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The Sharks, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their 38-22 defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes last week, and head coach Sean Everitt has made three backline changes in order to do so.
A fresh halves pairing of Sanele Nohamba and Curwin Bosch replaces last week’s duo of Louis Schreuder and Boeta Chamberlain, while skipper Lukhanyo Am has been rested to accomodate for new midfielder Jeremy Ward.
In case you missed it, here's the @CellC Sharks team facing @MelbourneRebels tomorrow. Kick-off at 05H45 CAT ⏰#OurSharksForever #REBvSHA pic.twitter.com/6Q7dB8Ey4y
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) February 21, 2020
That has allowed for a raft of alterations in the reserves, with Lwazi Mvovo the headliner in the No. 23 jersey as Ward’s replacement.
Elsewhere, loosehead prop Mzamo Majola, loose forward Henco Venter and midfielder Marius Louw join the demoted Schreuder on the pine.
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