Rebels Bank On Young Guns
These Melbourne Rebels young guns are definite starters in this Saturday’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva.
They have been the mainstay of the Kevin Foote-coached Rebels side in this year’s competition. The Rebels like the Drua have recorded two wins and three losses after Round Five of the competition.
Foote said their game has been based on the following ideology: ‘Fast, fearless and resolute’.
Here are the players, the Drua players must keep an eye on:
#1. TREVOR HOSEA
Standing at 2.03m, the 23- yearold hails for the Cook Islands. He was a former Australia Under-20 rep and is the Rebels money man in the lineout.
Hosea, has been playing well and is on the verge of making the Australian Wallabies.
#2. ALEX MAFI
At the age of 26, he has already played 60 Super Rugby games for the Reds.
The tough hooker is a recipient of the John Eales scholarship and he holds the Rebels front row together.
#3. VAIOLINI EKUASI
Former Australian rugby star Tim Horan, has labelled the purchase of this flanker by the Rebels as the ‘best buy of the year’. Playing at No.8 in the 40-34 win over the Reds, the former Blues flanker was a standout performer. The 21-year-old is one of the players the Drua forwards must keep an eye on this Saturday.
#4. DAVID FELIUAI
Many underestimated this tough Samoan second five eight due to his small built.
Feliuai is a tough man to put down, very elusive and makes those unexpected offloads.
The 25-year-old made his mark representing Kafiga Samoa in the Global Rapid Rugby before he signed up with the Rebels. He scored his first Super Rugby try against the Chiefs.
#5. CARTER GORDON
He is dubbed ‘Flash Gordon’ because of his speed and is the Rebels go-to-man at the No.10 spot. The 22-year-old played for the Australian Schoolboys and was signed by the Reds in 2020 but did not get any game.
He moved to the Rebels, the following year and played 21 Super Rugby matches.
The match kicks-off at 3.35pm.