Melbourne Rebels v British & Irish Lions, 25 June

 
Luke Burgess to direct Rebels
ESPN Staff
June 23, 2013

Luke Burgess will make his first start in Australia in almost two years after being named in Melbourne Rebels' run-on side to play the British & Irish Lions at AAMI Park on Tuesday.

Burgess, who has played 37 Tests for the Wallabies, recently returned to Australia from French Top 14 side with a stated aim of facing the Lions. "Every rugby player's dream is to have the opportunity to play the British & Irish Lions in their home country, and I am very honoured to have been selected to start for the Rebels and get a chance to play them," Burgess said. "Having been in Melbourne a couple of weeks now, I have built some solid combinations with this young playing group, and have enjoyed working alongside Nic Stirzaker in the half-back role. Together, we have both been able to apply a game plan that will look to challenge the Lions, and something we are both looking forward to."

Burgess made mention of the contrasting style between the two continents as a point of difference in his game management. "European rugby is a lot different to what we have down under, and I think I can bring an edge to the Rebels' attack and control the tempo of the game. It's important we establish this early, as we have seen what they can do when allowed to control the match."

Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Nick Phipps are unavailable for selection due to Wallabaies commitments, but the Rebels welcome the return of Hugh Pyle and Jarrod Saffy from injury. Rookie fly-half Bryce Hegarty also returns to the run-on side after missing the Rebels' previous match due to illness.

"There are many great milestones in this match," Rebels coach Damien Hill said. "Not only is it the first opportunity the Rebels have to play the British & Irish Lions in front of our members and fans, but it will be the first match for Cruze Ah-Nau at the Rebels and Luke's first start at the club. I am very proud of the way Melbourne has embraced the Rebels, and we hope to repay that with a record attendance at AAMI Park, and a historical moment in Victorian sporting history.

"We have been without a number of our high-profile players this season but the squad has met these challenges head on with many of the younger members like Bryce, Tom English, Jason Woodward, Jordy Reid, Angus Roberts and Pat Leafa getting their first taste of Super Rugby. Their efforts have contributed to a number of excellent team performances this season and they are excited about the challenge they will face together on Tuesday night."

2013 Lions Tour: England centre Manu Tuilagi to face Melbourne Rebels on Tuesday

England centre Manu Tuilagi will return to action after injury against the Melbourne Rebels on Tuesday after coach Warren Gatland named him in the British and Irish Lions team for the match on Sunday.

Tuilagi suffered a shoulder injury during the match against the Queensland Reds two weeks ago and has not played since but will link up with Brad Barritt for the match against Australia's youngest Super Rugby team.

The team will be led by England lock Geoff Parling, who links up in the second row with Scotland's Richie Gray in a strong pack.

Although this was clearly a second string, or dirt-tracker, team, Gatland said a good performance would put players in contention for the second Test, where they will be looking to wrap up the series after Saturday's 23-21 win over the Wallabies.

"I think it's important for the players to get an opportunity on Tuesday," the New Zealander said.

"We've kept saying all along that there's still a chance for performances to really catch the eye and Tuesday night is another chance to go out and impress.

"We were disappointed with the Brumbies result, I think it was a gentle reminder of certain things we needed to remember for the Test match.

"So for certain guys taking the field on Tuesday, it would be nice to continue with that momentum for the second Test."

Several players saw their Test places go up in smoke when the Lions lost to a Brumbies side in Canberra last Tuesday and get a chance to make amends.

There is also a string contingent of players who were on the bench against the Wallabies at Lang Park, including loose forward Dan Lydiate and Scottish back Sean Maitland.

Owen Farrell starts at fly half in a halves partnership with Irishman Conor Murray while hooker Rory Best, who captained the Lions against the Brumbies, is named among the replacements.

Sean O'Brien gets a chance to impress at openside flanker with Lydiate coming in at blindside and Justin Tipuric, a favourite of many for a Test start at the beginning of the tour, on the bench.

Irish winger Tommy Bowe, who played a major role on the 2009 series in South Africa, has made a rapid recovery after fracturing a bone in his hand against the Reds but was not included in the team to ensure he is fit for Saturday.

There was also good news about another centre, Welsh battering ram Jamie Roberts, who sustained a hamstring strain in last weekend's match against the New South Wales Waratahs.

"They've done a fantastic job getting those guys back and fit and we don't think Jamie Roberts is too far away as well, he was up and running last week and he's potentially in contention for that second Test as well," Gatland said on Sunday.

"So to have Tommy fit and back and to have Manu fit and back as well it's a great contribution from the medical team and the fitness staff.

"The squad is looking healthy, we've got nearly everyone available, which is great, and if you look at the Australians, they took a bit of a battering last night.

"So we're in a good place now and looking forward to Tuesday."

flyhalffactory wrote:

thomh wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:
He was playing "Outside" (not left-right) - His inability to nail the man on the rush, or his positional faux pas (on occasions) in that respect often left Maitland and/or Kearney attempting to shore up the holes, hence on the counter the distribution lacked cohesion as one or both of them were not in the attacking line. Did you notice how many times we botched up the attacking movement between 9-14, then watch how many times the line was broken and more importantly where it was broken.

All very theoretical, but can you actually point to any instances of it happening?

As I said to you I will make a point of providing you with examples throughout the match...........  and as you have taped it then you can watch it and come back with your opinions ok?

The Saint wrote:Do the Irish think Lydiate had a good game? Or were you all still dreaming that yourselves and Sean O'Brien were in Wonderland...

formerly known as Sam wrote:Manu is definitely trying to show off his skillset to try and get noticed. I think he took it easy on the big hits and crashes to show off some maturity and protect that shoulder a little.

ChequeredJersey wrote:I bet Lydiate starts the 2nd test. Just a feeling

formerly known as Sam wrote:Just watched the game. Sort of wonder whether people watch games or just reiterate what commentators have said previously.

Manu - defensive positioning poor, nope he never once stepped out the line and was drifting in sync throughout. Defensive holes were appearing closer in where the forwards were not filtering into the line from the breakdown. An extremely restrained Manu in defence.

Good game in all with Cole and Falatau stepping up though both have been a touch under cooked so far so it might be a bit late. Manu (he seemed to be blowing the rust off a touch) and Barritt did alright, Zebo shone though Gats likes his wingers to have a good resource of power so he may be unlucky. Kearney and Maitland were both poor and off the pace.

Backrow worked nicely though a little clumsy in defence at the breakdown. Evans did a good job in the lineout though Gray continued his underwhelming season. Front row did a job though Hibbard will be kicking himself over his throwing. Farrell unrecognizable from the start of the tour with both Murray and Youngs showing considerably more form than Phillips at the weekend.

The Saint wrote:It was a fair question, seeing as those lot love to give Lydiate a hard time whilst believing SOB is the best back-row in the world. I didn't expect them to give him a pat on the back TBH.
Both played very well IMO. O'Brien should be in the squad for the 2nd test or perhaps Faletau depending on how the management team see it. Danny has had his chance and now it is someone else's go, but he'll still be in the reckoning for the final test.

The Saint wrote:Well my horoscope for today said that I'd be given reason to be happy. And now I am .

The Saint wrote:Well my horoscope for today said that I'd be given reason to be happy. And now I am .

ChequeredJersey wrote:I bet Lydiate starts the 2nd test. Just a feeling


Stop giving the game away CJ - You were told that inconfidence

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:I do get frustrated by Croft on the wing preventing the wing getting the ball.

This again? Croft was only on for about 15 minutes, got in his fair share of tackles (check the stats) and set up Youngs' try from the line-out. I'm not sure he had enough time to 'showboat on the wing'.

Are you sure you didn't just type this comment before the game and then pasted it in regardless of how it panned out?

I think some people just have opinions of players and don't like to change them even based on evidence right in front of them.

glamorganalun wrote:

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:I do get frustrated by Croft on the wing preventing the wing getting the ball.

This again? Croft was only on for about 15 minutes, got in his fair share of tackles (check the stats) and set up Youngs' try from the line-out. I'm not sure he had enough time to 'showboat on the wing'.

Are you sure you didn't just type this comment before the game and then pasted it in regardless of how it panned out?

I think some people just have opinions of players and don't like to change them even based on evidence right in front of them.

You don't have to watch too long,this time he was on the right wing when the ball was won on the left. I did not say Croft did not make an impact.

Notch wrote:Some redemption for last weeks midweek team; thinking Best, Gray, Maitland, Barritt all righted a few wrongs. Unfortunately for Best and Gray I think too late, their showing against the Brumbies will have cost them a place in the 23 but good to see a big, big improvement in their lineout performances a week on.

RubyGuby wrote:Glas prefers 30/03/17/03

Cyril wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:

glamorganalun wrote:I do get frustrated by Croft on the wing preventing the wing getting the ball.

This again? Croft was only on for about 15 minutes, got in his fair share of tackles (check the stats) and set up Youngs' try from the line-out. I'm not sure he had enough time to 'showboat on the wing'.

Are you sure you didn't just type this comment before the game and then pasted it in regardless of how it panned out?

I think some people just have opinions of players and don't like to change them even based on evidence right in front of them.

You don't have to watch too long,this time he was on the right wing when the ball was won on the left. I did not say Croft did not make an impact.

Ok, glam. It just looks like you were trying hard to find fault. I just don't see the 'Croft doesn't get involved enough' argument.