Higginbotham leads Rebels cause

 

Higginbotham, who missed the the end of last year's Super Rugby season as well as the British &  Irish Lions series due to shoulder reconstruction surgery returns to the Rebels' fold and is back to lead his side which includes nine contracted Rebels selected to make their debut. 

 

The squad has been put through its toughest off season ever under new Head Coach Tony McGahan, while Japanese International Shota Horie and All Black Tamati Ellison are still yet to join the squad following their club commitments in Japan.

 

Luke Burgess, Tom Kingston and Lopeti Timani will all feature against their old side for the first time in a Rebels jersey.

 

With temperatures predicted to soar over 40 degrees, the match will be played in quarters and the Rebels have named four different teams which will feature nearly the entire squad.

 

Rebels teams:

1st Quarter: 15 Tom Kingston, 14 Alex Rokobaro, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Joe Kamana, 10 Angus Roberts, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Jordy Reid, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Steve Foulau, 1 Max Lahiff.

 

2nd Quarter: 15 Tom Kingston, 14 Alex Rokobaro, 13 Lachlan Mitchell, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Joe Kamana, 10 Angus Roberts, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Jordy Reid, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Cruze Ah-Nau, 2 Steve Foulau, 1 Eddie Aholelei

 

3rd Quarter: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Lopeti Timani, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Colby Fainga'a, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith

 

4th Quarter: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Colby Fainga'a, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.

 

Date: Saturday, February 1

Venue: Albury Sports Ground, Albury

Kick-off: 17.00 (06.00 GMT)

Referee: TBC