Rebels shift Gerrard to centres

Updated April 13, 2011 20:38:00

The Melbourne Rebels have reshuffled their backline with coach Rod Macqueen finally having most of his players fit and available.

After a wave of injuries, all of the backs except Julian Huxley (groin) were up for selection for Friday night's Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders at AAMI Park, with the Rebels gunning for their third successive victory.

Former Test full-back Mark Gerrard has shifted to the centres, with blossoming custodian Richard Kingi named at the back.

That allowed Macqueen to accommodate the return from injury of bustling winger Cooper Vuna.

Lachlan Mitchell, who played outside centre in their win over the Force before last weekend's bye, is on the right wing with Luke Rooney relegated to the bench.

In the forwards Rodney Blake has returned to the starting 15 and replaced Nic Henderson at loose-head prop.

Flanker Hoani Macdonald will make his return from a long-term hand injury on the bench.

For the visiting Highlanders, All Blacks half-back Jimmy Cowan has been relegated to the bench.

Cowan, who has started all of the Highlanders' matches in 2011, is replaced by Manawatu and NZ Maori half-back Aaron Smith.

Rebels (15-1): Richard Kingi, Lachlan Mitchell, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock (c), Cooper Vuna, Danny Cipriani, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve (vc), Michael Lipman, Jarrod Saffy, Hugh Pyle, Alister Campbell, Greg Somerville, Ged Robinson, Rodney Blake. Res: Heath Tessmann, Laurie Weeks, Adam Byrnes, Tim Davidson, Hoani Macdonald, Luke Rooney, Afusipa Taumoepeau.

Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Shaun Treeby, Siale Piutau, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, David Te Moana, Tom Donnelly, Nick Crosswell, Jimmy Cowan, Robbie Robinson, James Paterson.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted April 13, 2011 18:49:00

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Tahs shift Beale to five-eighth for Blues

Updated June 20, 2011 16:41:00

New South Wales will call unheralded hooker Elvis Taione onto their bench and switch Kurtley Beale to fly half, as it loses three key players for Friday's Super Rugby qualifying final against the Blues in Auckland.

Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will miss the match with a knee problem and is to undergo an arthroscopy after struggling through Saturday's 41-7 win over the Brumbies.

Also adding to the Waratahs' already extensive injury absentee list are fly half Daniel Halangahu (hamstring) and prop Al Baxter (head knock).

With Baxter, Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu all sidelined, New South Wales coach Chris Hickey is again looking to the Sydney club ranks to fortify his diminishing front row stocks.

Taione is expected to be named on the bench with John Ulugia promoted to start in place of Polota-Nau.

Jeremy Tilse and Paddy Ryan are vying for the vacant prop starting position.

With Halangahu injured, Hickey confirmed Beale would switch from full-back to fly half.

With the Waratahs other main playmaker Berrick Barnes already ruled out for the remainder of the Super Rugby campaign, Hickey may again have to raid the club ranks or possibly contemplating using back-up half-back Josh Holmes as an alternative playmaker.

The Waratahs head to New Zealand on Tuesday.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, new-zealand

First posted June 20, 2011 16:34:00

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Rebels shift Gerrard to centres

Posted April 13, 2011 18:49:00

The Melbourne Rebels have reshuffled their backline with coach Rod Macqueen finally having most of his players fit and available.

After a wave of injuries, all of the backs except Julian Huxley (groin) were up for selection for Friday night's Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders at AAMI Park, with the Rebels gunning for their third successive victory.

Former Test full-back Mark Gerrard has shifted to the centres, with blossoming custodian Richard Kingi named at the back.

That allowed Macqueen to accommodate the return from injury of bustling winger Cooper Vuna.

Lachlan Mitchell, who played outside centre in their win over the Force before last weekend's bye, is on the right wing with Luke Rooney relegated to the bench.

In the forwards Rodney Blake has returned to the starting 15 and replaced Nic Henderson at loose-head prop.

Flanker Hoani Macdonald will make his return from a long-term hand injury on the bench.

For the visiting Highlanders, All Blacks half-back Jimmy Cowan has been relegated to the bench.

Cowan, who has started all of the Highlanders' matches in 2011, is replaced by Manawatu and NZ Maori half-back Aaron Smith.

Rebels (15-1): Richard Kingi, Lachlan Mitchell, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock (c), Cooper Vuna, Danny Cipriani, Nick Phipps, Gareth Delve (vc), Michael Lipman, Jarrod Saffy, Hugh Pyle, Alister Campbell, Greg Somerville, Ged Robinson, Rodney Blake. Res: Heath Tessmann, Laurie Weeks, Adam Byrnes, Tim Davidson, Hoani Macdonald, Luke Rooney, Afusipa Taumoepeau.

Highlanders: Ben Smith, Kade Poki, Kendrick Lynn, Shaun Treeby, Siale Piutau, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, David Te Moana, Tom Donnelly, Nick Crosswell, Jimmy Cowan, Robbie Robinson, James Paterson.

View the original article here