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The Rebels head to Suva to take on the Fiji Drua and will hope they can go one better than the Crusaders who were handed a historic loss against the Drua in their spiritual home Lautoka in round 3. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 2.30pm AEDT.
Wallabies regulars Andrew Kellaway and Reece Hodge are back for the Rebels, as coach Kevin Foote’s side attempt to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
The Drua have had mixed results this season, with losses to the Western Force, Waratahs, Reds and the Highlanders only to beat the 2022 premiership winning Crusaders. The Drua have showed they have variability in their game in 2023, but they cause the biggest headaches when they let the offloads fly. Teti Tela will need to make sure the Drua are playing in the right areas of the field to capitalise on his teams physicality and flair.
Melbourne Rebels’ Kellaway will play his first match of the season off the bench after injuring himself against Ireland in Dublin last November, while Hodge makes a surprise return after a nasty hand injury against the Chiefs. Jordan Uelese is back on the bench and Josh Canham’s return will ease the blow of losing Trevor Hosea.
Foote said post-match in the Reds win that his team must focus on quicker transitions between attack and defence. He is confident in their defensive shape once set, but admits there are still some improvements to be made to limit conceding mountains of points.
The Rebels have been playing some exciting rugby but will need to go to another level in defence if they are to hold out a rampaging Drua who are riding on the voices of thousands of cheering Fijians. Fitness and mental fortitude will be tested is what is expected to be hot and humid conditions on the Pacific Island nation.
Game information
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Suva Kick-off: 2.35pm (AEDT) Streaming: Stan Sport Betting: Drua $1.72, Rebels $2.12 – odds via PlayUp
Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin (c), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Stacey Ili, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Joe Pincus. Replacements: Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Pone Fa’amausili, Angelo Smith, Daniel Maiava, James Tuttle, David Feliuai Andrew Kellaway.
