Matt Philip is out to make the most of the World Cup-enforced absence of Melbourne’s Wallabies when the Rebels play their final Super Rugby trial on Friday.
The Rebels take on the Queensland Reds in Ballarat without any of their eight Wallabies from the spring tour, with the players rested until round one in accordance with new national guidelines.
Star recruit Quade Cooper, who missed the Rebels’ first trial against the Brumbies with a knee injury, has been named at No.10 and will partner halfback Michael Ruru, with Will Genia unavailable.
Ex-Brumbies backrower Isi Naisarani will have his first Melbourne start at No.8, while their front row has been bolstered with Ben Daley and Anaru Rangi joining Sam Talakai, who played last weekend.
The Rebels have named a 35-man squad for the final pre-season hit-out as they look to nail down their best line-up for their opening round clash with the Brumbies on February 15 in Canberra.
Philip will start in the second row alongside Luke Jones, with skipper Adam Coleman among the Test contingent who are unavailable.
And Philip is hoping to use the opportunity to press his claims for a regular starting spot, which could also lead to a World Cup call-up to add to his three Test caps.
“World Cup is in the back of everyone’s mind but personally it’s trying to get that Rebels starting jersey first and foremost and playing my best for Melbourne,” the 24-year-old said.
“I want to win a Super Rugby championship and whatever happens with the Wallabies happens.”
Geoff Parling has shifted into a coaching role after the end of his playing career last year and said the squad was in good shape as they looked to improve on last year’s ninth-placed finish.
“We know we need to be different to be better than last year,” the former British and Irish Lions lock said.
“There’s a massive emphasis on intensity of competition – trying to compete every training session to be the best you can be.
“We finish ninth because that’s what we deserved so it’s in our hands if we want to finish higher and at the moment I’ve seen that so we have to keep pressing and keep improving.”
Rebels: Ben Daley, Anaru Rangi, Sam Talakai, Luke Jones, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Richard Hardwick, Isi Naisarani, Michael Ruru, Quade Cooper, Semisi Tupou, Billy Meakes, Tom English, Tazi Tautalatasi, Beaudine Waaka. Res: Fereti Sa’aga, Meez Erasmus, Matt Gibbon, Robbie Abel, Hugh Roach, Pone Fa’amausuli, Rhys Brodie, Sam Jeffries, Trvor Hosea, Ezei Ha’amgana, Ikapote Tupai, John Mokofosi, Brad Wilkin, Michael Koko, Harrison Goddard, Stu Dunbar, Nav Hailsila, Siona Tui, Justin Masters, Archie King.
