Five-eighth Matt To’omua will steer a largely new-look side when the Melbourne Rebels open their Super Rugby campaign against the Sunwolves in Fukuoka on Saturday.
Despite losing Wallabies trio Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Adam Coleman in the off-season the Rebels have retained most of their squad following a post-World Cup exodus across the competition but will blood six debutants off the bench.
Fijian international Frank Lomani replaces Genia while Waratahs recruit and former Australian under-20 captain Andrew Kellaway is the other starting debutant.
“We’re excited about the team; we feel really good coming out of the trials,” coach Dave Wessels said.
“We have a few big (ideas) in our game and we’ve got to execute those things with intent, and I think we feel confident with where we’re at that we can do that.”
The Rebels were second on the ladder halfway through last season but faded for a second straight year to finish 11th and miss a maiden finals berth.
“By the back end of the season I thought guys were probably cognitively fatigued and a bit emotionally fatigued and that’s because we were so desperate to want to do well for the club,” Wessels said.
“We really didn’t put our best foot forward in those last games, not because we didn’t care but because we were literally just shatteringly tired.
“We worked hard in the off-season to pick up experienced guys who can add to our squad and I think that will help us in the back end this year.”
Wessels said defence has been their major focus in the off-season.
“That’s part of building consistent performances against those top teams and creating real pressure during the games with things like defence and set piece,” he said.
Rebels: Fereti Sa’aga, Anaru Rangi, Jermaine Ainsley, Ross Haylett-Petty, Matt Philip, Angus Cottrell, Rob Leota, Isi Naisarani, Frank Lomani, Matt To’omua, Andrew Kellaway, Bily Meakes, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: Steve Misa, Cameron Orr, Ruan Smith, Luke Jones, Michael Wells, Richard Hardwick, Theo Strang, Andrew Deegan.