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Jones boost for Rebels

The Melbourne-based franchise face the Reds at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday.

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Rebels coach Tony McGahan has made four changes to the starting line-up for the last game of the season with Jones, Sean McMahon and Mitch Inman returning from injury.

Whilst Paul Asquith will make his run-on Super Rugby debut after two weeks as a reserve.

Jones, suffered a concussion against the Stormers, will make his 72nd and last Super Rugby appearance for the franchise before leave to France at the end of the season.Jones boost for Rebels

"We've got a few players back with Luke, Mitch and Sean, so to have three experienced campaigners back in the mix is fantastic," McGahan said.

The Rebels will be without Lopeti Timani for a second week, after the lock failed to overcome his concussion.

Fullback Mike Harris will miss his last game for the franchise with a hamstring injury.

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Culum Retallick, who scored his first try for the franchise in his Rebels run-on debut last weekend against the Crusaders, has retained his position in the starting 15.

McGahan has made a surprise selection with Australian Under-20 rising star Jack Maddocks set to make his Super Rugby debut after being included on the reserves bench for the first time in his career.

The franchise recently announced the 19-year-old, who was the only player to play every minute of Australia's 2016 World Rugby U-20 Championship campaign, as a signing for the next two seasons.

"Jack's impressed us at training last week and really impressed with the Australian U-20's in Manchester, he's a good physical player and gets an opportunity this weekend," McGahan said.

 

"He gets this opportunity because we think he can play, we certainly wouldn't put him out there if there was any doubts about whether he can handle Super Rugby. We have faith in him that he can deliver."

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Sione Tuipulotu and Rob Leota, who made his debut against the Crusaders, have been named.

The Rebels travel to Queensland for their second meeting of the season against the Reds after claiming a 25-23 victory in Round 3.

Rebels: 15 Paul Asquith, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Tom English, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker (captain), 8 Colby Fainga'a, 7 Jordy Reid, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 James Hanson, 1 Toby Smith.

Replacements: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Cruze Ah Nau, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Sione Tuipulotu, 23. Jack Maddocks.

Date: Friday, July 15

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Kick-off: 19.45 (09.45 GMT)

Referee: Will Houston

Assistant referees: Andrew Lees, Amy Perrett

TMO: George Ayoub

Jones boost for Rebels

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