Losing two premier tight-head props will have Australia scrambling at scrum time in France.
The Queensland Reds have snuffed out a spirited Melbourne Rebels fightback to secure a crucial 36-32 win in their Super Rugby Pacific clash at AAMI Park.
Melbourne have cracked their first win of the Super Rugby Pacific season, getting revenge on Fijian Drua with a spirited 42-27 victory at AAMI Park.
The Rebels will enter their 12th year with a new coach and determination to exceed expectations in Super Rugby Pacific. Most pundits aren’t giving them much of a chance after losing some high profile players, including Markia Koroibete and Isi Naisarani.
The five Australian Super Rugby Pacific franchises - the Brumbies, Reds, Rebels, Force and Waratahs - and the Fijian Drua have unveiled their squads for next season.
The Melbourne Rebels will roll the dice against the Queensland Reds by naming two openside flankers in Richard Hardwick and Brad Wilkin in their back row for their Super Rugby AU qualifying final on Saturday night.
Matt Toomua has booted the Melbourne Rebels into the Super Rugby AU finals with a conversion on the siren to secure a miracle 34-30 win over the Western Force.
Olympic Sevens hopeful Lachie Anderson is set to make his Super Rugby AU debut in Melbourne's must-win last-round clash with the Western Force in Newcastle on Saturday.
Despite only playing one match this year, Waratahs coach Rob Penney is rolling the dice with league convert Tepai Moeroa at inside centre on Saturday night.
Melbourne feel the Brumbies may have revealed a road-map to Super Rugby AU success over the NSW Waratahs that they can follow in Saturday's crunch match.