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."

bsando wrote:

Cari wrote:Wowsers!  Great passing between Tuilagi, Zebo and Faletau! Try for Maitland!

I don't think zebo was part of that try, maitland threw the pass to Tuilagi then got back round to his position on wing

BBC Sport wrote:15 mins:
TRY (MURRAY, CON FARRELL) - Melbourne Rebels 0-7 Lions
The Lions disassemble the Rebels at a five metre scrum. Number eight Toby Faletau is held just short but Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray spins over the line to score. Owen Farrell makes it 16 successful kicks from 17 on tour as he slots the tricky conversion.

19 mins:
Melbourne Rebels 0-7 Lions
The Lions are destroying the Rebel scrum. Darth Vader would be pleased.

22 mins:
Melbourne Rebels 0-7 Lions
Scrum superb, line-out not so hot. Richie Gray loses control this time.

Great play from Toby Faletau though to win a penalty at a ruck, Owen Farrell kicks to the corner but once again the Lions' handling lets them down as Dan Cole knocks on five metres from the line.

24 mins:
Melbourne Rebels 0-7 Lions
The Lions front row slumps to the ground like a stroppy toddler, penalty Rebels and they clear their lines. Frustrating for the visitors.

25 mins:
MISSED PENALTY (Woodward) - Melbourne Rebels 0-7 Lions
Sean O'Brien penalised for offside at a ruck. First points for the hosts?

It's pretty straight, just inside the Lions' 10m line, and Jason Woodward... pushes it wide.

28 mins:
TRY (MAITLAND, CON FARRELL)- Melbourne Rebels 0-14 Lions

VictorU3 wrote:I just don't understand it a NFL quarter back can throw a ball 50m+ on the spot yet our hookers can't throw the ball 5-15m straight!

Its pants can't someone else throw it in?

Good try Maitland made by Manu, has to start the test imo.

Scoped wrote:Except how often does a QB not make his pass?

Pyleboy65 wrote:Victor  he hasn't thrown a crooked one yet - the last line out was a knock on by Gray

BBC Sport wrote:28 mins:
TRY (MAITLAND, CON FARRELL) - Melbourne Rebels 0-14 Lions
That's a gem from the Lions. Sean O'Brien's pop pass finds Manu Tuilagi at pace and he blasts through Gareth Delve, takes out three more men and finds Sean Maitland on the inside.

The Scotland winger makes 30m and finds Toby Faletau, and although the Wales number eight slips just short of the line, the Lions recycle and quick hands from Simon Zebo send Maitland over in the corner.

RDW_Scotland wrote:SoB having a great game

ChequeredJersey wrote:

VictorU3 wrote:I just don't understand it a NFL quarter back can throw a ball 50m+ on the spot yet our hookers can't throw the ball 5-15m straight!

Its pants can't someone else throw it in?

Good try Maitland made by Manu, has to start the test imo.

Don't have to be dead straight for a QB throw, usually throwing for a player to run onto to at least within a margin of error. Also, top QBs are rare and very valuable because the ability to make those passes is very very hard and America probably has as many people playing NFL as there are rugby players in the world and JUST ABOUT enough top QBs for every franchise to have one

Cari wrote:Lydiate's making some good tackles again.

Scoped wrote:I mean that even after the pass is thrown they still miss their targets often

BBC Sport wrote:37 mins:

Melbourne Rebels 0-14 Lions
Something that was awful, but has now improved dramatically (now that's a segue people) is the Lions line-out. Richard Hibbard finds his man and the tourists clear their lines.

38 mins:
Melbourne Rebels 0-14 Lions
Rebels on the attack, Lions fall offside and the hosts kick to the corner. Crowd delighted.

Crowd then less delighted as the Lions steal the line-out courtesy of Ian Evans and clear.

Scoped wrote:Never said theres an excuse, just that its a popr comparison

Riskysports wrote:How is Grant getting on?

ChequeredJersey wrote:Well, the English players in the team have never seen an offload before...

mid_gen wrote:On train from HK to Guanzhou listening on RTE....that sounded like a cracker.

Riskysports wrote:How is Grant getting on?

LondonTiger wrote:Has anyone put their hands up for Test selection (would prefer people to suggest players from another country to remove inherent bias)?

bsando wrote:Grant is looking good in scrum and has been good in loose, but not as good as we know he can be.

As well as grant I would say Evans is playing well, Maitland, tuilagi, sob and lydiate. All pushing for a test spot.

LondonTiger wrote:Has anyone put their hands up for Test selection (would prefer people to suggest players from another country to remove inherent bias)?