Plus500 Brumbies Meet Rebels in Opening Trial

Fri, Feb 2, 2018, 1:00 AM
Brumbies.Rugby
by Brumbies.Rugby

The Plus500 Brumbies will take on the Melbourne Rebels in their opening trial match of the campaign with the fixture set for Saturday 3 February at Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan. 

The fixture, along with the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens and the clash with the Chiefs on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday 14 February loom large as key opportunities for Dan McKellar to fine tune his team in preparation for the upcoming Super Rugby season. 

The Rebels match will the first chance for Brumbies fan to get a glimpse of some the new recruits for 2018, as well as the returning members of last year’s squad ahead of the season opener away to the Sunwolves on 24 February. 

New signings such as Isi Naisarani, Chance Peni and Richie Arnold are set to make their first appearances in a Brumbies jersey, while promoted young talents Darcy Swain, Mack Hansen and Rob Valetini may also get their first test at senior level in a game that should prove to be an entertaining clash.  

The visitors from Melbourne will also have many new additions on display, with the Rebels overhauling a squad which struggled in 2017.

Wallabies Adam Coleman, Dane Haylett-Petty and Will Genia, who all joined the team under the tutelage of Dave Wessels, could be set for some game time.  

One of the high points for the Rebels last season was a valiant win against the Brumbies in Melbourne, a game they sneaked home 19-17 before the brumbies gained revenge, and wrapped up the Australian Conference title, with a 32-3 triumph in the return. 

Despite the friendly nature of the fixture, neither side will want to give the other any bragging rights heading into 2018 and, with that in mind, spectators can expect a lively encounter full of running and attacking rugby. 

As a warm-up to the match, the Brumbies Meet the Player’s Day event will be held at Brumbies HQ, University of Canberra, the same day as the trial, with a bunch of fun activities available for all the family.  

Trial Match Saturday 3 February Plus500 Brumbies vs Melbourne Rebels (Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan) 

Tickets available from: www.brumbies.eventbrite.com.au 

MATCHDAY SQUAD

Robbie ABEL

Allan ALAALATOA

Ben ALEXANDER

Angus ALLEN

Richie ARNOLD

Rory ARNOLD

Tom BANKS

Sam CARTER

Tom CUSACK

Blake ENEVER

James DARGAVILLE

Lolo FAKAOSILEA

Kyle GODWIN

Mack HANSEN

Wharenui HAWERA

Len IKITAU

Jordan JACKSON-HOPE

Leslie LEULUA’IALI’I-MAKIN

Harry LLOYD

Ryan LONERGAN

Matt LUCAS

Lachlan MCCAFFREY

Cornel MCINERNEY

Andrew MUIRHEAD

Isi NAISARANI

Joe POWELL

Faalelei SIONE

Andrew SMITH

Henry SPEIGHT

Darcy SWAIN

Lausii TALIAULI

Rob VALETINI

James VERITY-AMM

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