Wallabies hopeful Billy Meakes has forced his way back into the Melbourne Rebels starting side to face Queensland in their Super Rugby clash on Friday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Meakes has returned at inside centre to partner Reece Hodge, with Tom English out of the line-up after Meakes added some punch when he came off the bench in last Saturday's loss to the Hurricanes.
Among other changes, Luke Jones has switched back from lock to No.6 to add another lineout option and Ross Haylett-Petty starts in the second row as they look to dominate the Reds in that area at AAMI Park.
Test lock Adam Coleman remains sidelined with a minor shoulder complaint while Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese will play club rugby as he returns from a shoulder reconstruction.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels said he was looking for Meakes's effective combination with five-eighth Quade Cooper to help end their run of three successive losses.
"Tom English has played every game so far so he deserved a break and I thought Billy did well when he came on in the Hurricanes game," Wessels said.
"Billy's combination with Quade is one that's worked for us well this season.
"You can see them talking and connecting at training and I think they've improved with each other's support, so that's a big reason."
Melbourne got off to an awful start against the Hurricanes to trail 26-0 but ended up losing 29-19.
Wessels said he was happy with their second-half response and had seen some good signs at training this week.
But they needed to translate that to the field if they are to back up their 19-point win over the Reds in round seven in Brisbane.
A win is crucial if they are to stay on top of the Australian conference with the Brumbies second on points differential, with the Reds just two points back.
"The frustrating thing for us is that we haven't been playing the way we want to play and the way we can play consistently for 80 minutes," Wessels said.
"The big focus has been trying to do that again. I've seen some good signs in training but the reality is that the game's played on Friday night so we have to deliver it then."
REBELS: Dane Haylett-Petty (capt), Jack Maddocks, Reece Hodge, Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Angus Cottrell, Luke Jones, Matt Philip, Ross Haylett-Petty, Jermaine Ainsley, Anaru Rangi, Tetera Faulkner. Res: Hugh Roach, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Pone Fa'amausili, Rob Leota, Richard Hardwick, Michael Ruru, Campbell Magnay.
Australian Associated Press
