The Melbourne Rebels Women have announced their team that will take on the ACT Brumbies Women in the club’s landmark Round Four clash at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Rebels flanker, Phoebe Linder-Patton is the notable absentee for the home side after suffering an ankle injury against the Queensland Reds on Sunday at Ballymore Stadium.
Linder-Patton’s replacement, Rebecca Walker, marks a host of positional changes made to the Rebels side ahead of their first home game of the season, which will act as a curtain-raiser the men’s blockbuster clash against the Hurricanes.
Rebels Head Coach Alana Thomas said the team can’t wait to play in front of their home crowd after spending the first two weeks of the season travelling.
“It’s an exciting time to play our first home game and for it to be on Good Friday means we can get a number of supporters to the game to watch,” Thomas said.
“To play on a stadium like AAMI Park is something these players will cherish. To play our first home game as a curtain raiser to the men is a great reward for all the players’ hard work and sacrifice.”
After tough losses to the Force and Brumbies to open their Super W season, the Rebels have spent the week working hard on ensuring the team can turn their hard work on the field into reward on the scoreboard.
While the side hasn’t achieved the desired on field results, Thomas says she is proud of how much improvement her side has shown over the first few rounds of the season.
“There has been a massive improvement from Round One to now,” Thomas said.
“Even though people may look at the score board and see us 60 points down, we have made good steps forward.
“Within the playing group they know that and we can see things are starting to come together.”
Entry to AAMI Park will be available through Gate 2 will be open at AAMI Park for public entrance for the Buildcorp Super W match, opening from 4.45pm.
Melbourne Rebels Women team for Friday 30 March vs Brumbies Women,kick off 5.05pm:
Janita Kareta
Jacs Te'o
Paula Ioane
Rebecca Walker
Casey Homewood
Alice Tonumaivao
Sharlene Fagalilo
Ashley Marsters
Georgia Cormick
Jayne Kareroa
Naite Sofele
Tessa Brown
Jocelyn Davis
Mikaela Welti
Mere Robinson
Reserves
Alice Masters
Nesa Tapuai
Maria Va'auli
Anna Milne
Loanna Lelei
Tulia Pula
Rebekah Jones
Jazz Bennedick
