Wallaby Taniela Tupou returns to Rebels' bench for Canes clash

Wallaby Taniela Tupou will come off the bench for the third time in five appearances for the Melbourne Rebels when they take on the ladder-leading Hurricanes in Palmerston North.

Tupou, who has been linked with a shock move to four-time European champions Leinster, started for the Rebels against his old club the Reds last time out but failed to fire.

The man known as ‘The Tongan Thor’ has been replaced by fellow Wallaby Sam Talakai in the starting side, while Victorian prop Isaac Kailea will start for the Rebels for the first time.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Angelo Smith will combine in the second row for the first time this season, while Tuaina Tail Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi and captain Rob Leota round out the forwards.

Ryan Louwrens and Carter Gordon will link up in the halves again while youngster Lukhas Ripley comes into the starting side for the first time this season.

Ripley joins David Feliuai in the midfield. Glen Vaihu, Lachie Anderson and fullback Andrew Kellaway are the rest of the starters this week.

On the bench, keep an eye out for Mason Gordon – the younger brother of starting fly-half Carter – who is in line to potentially debut at Super Rugby Pacific level on Friday.

The match is scheduled to get underway at 7:05 pm NZT at Palmerston North’s Central Energy Trust arena on Friday evening.

Melbourne Rebels side to take on the Hurricanes

1. Isaac Kailea
2. Jordan Uelese
3. Sam Talakai
4. Angelo Smith
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Tuaina Tail Tualima
7. Vaiolini Ekuasi
8. Rob Leota (c)
9. Ryan Louwrens
10. Carter Gordon
11. Glen Vaihu
12. David Feliuai
13. Lukas Ripley
14. Lachie Anderson
15. Andrew Kellaway

Reserves

16. Alex Mafi
17. Cabous Eloff
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Josh Canham
20. Daniel Maiava
21. Jack Maunder
22. Mason Gordon*
23. Nick Jooste