Super Rugby
Melbourne Rebels ring in the changes
March 13, 2014
Russell Barwick and Greg Growden look at every match in depth

The return of playmaker Bryce Hegarty and tireless flanker Scott Fuglistaller are among the changes to the Melbourne Rebels line-up for their Super Rugby clash with the Crusaders in Melbourne on Friday night.

Following their 32-7 loss to the Western Force, coach Tony McGahan has recalled the players who helped the Rebels open the season with a win. Hegarty will start at fly-half ahead of Angus Roberts, while Fuglistaller is back after a week off.

"Scott has had a huge workload over the pre-season so for him to have a bit of a re-charge before having a good go at it now has been terrific," McGahan said. "Scott brings a real edge to our play in terms of physicality, but he also brings a real mental edge to the group and helps provide Scott Higginbotham with some extra leadership on the field."

Winger Tom English, who missed the Force game with a virus, is also back for the AAMI Park clash with last week's try scorer Telusa Veainu moving to the bench.

Paul Alo-Emile and Max Lahiff have dropped to the reserves, replaced in the front row by Toby Smith and Laurie Weeks while McGahan saying he plans to rotate the props through the season.

Rebels: Jason Woodward; Lachlan Mitchell, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Tom English; Bryce Hegarty, Luke Burgess; Scott Higginbotham (captain), Scott Fuglistaller, Sean McMahon; Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle; Laurie Weeks, Pat Leafa, Toby Smith. Replacements: Shota Horie, Max Lahiff, Laurie Weeks, Paul Alo-Emile, Cadeyrn Neville, Colby Fainga'a, Ben Meehan, Angus Roberts, Telusa Veainu.

© AAP

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