Rebels v Force: Teams
Western Force are without skipper Nathan Sharpe due to an ankle injury for Friday's trip to the Melbourne Rebels.
Last Updated: 16/06/11 2:41pm
The Western Force will be out to erase memories of the embarrassing early season loss to the Rebels in Friday's return clash against the tournament newcomers.
Both sides have had their fair share of disruptions leading up to this dead-rubber all-Aussie derby in Melbourne.
The hosts learnt that they'll be guided under a new coach next season, after Rod Macqueen announced that he'll be stepping down after just one season in charge.
The visitors were in the headlines thanks to the imminent departure of Wallabies young gun James O'Connor from the Perth-based franchise after negotiations for a new deal broke down.
O'Connor's Super Rugby season ended a week early after receiving a ban following a dangerous tackle in last week's heartbreaking loss to the Reds.
And if losing their star back was not enough, the Force will also be without skipper Nathan Sharpe who has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Force flanker David Pocock will lead the Western Force into battle in Sharpe's absence.
Pride
While neither the West Aussies or Victorians are able to make the Super Rugby finals there is still plenty of pride on the line in the final match of their respective campaigns.
"The Rebels have enjoyed good support at home in Melbourne this year and like us will want to finish the season well," said Force coach Richard Graham.
"I'm very confident in what the group we have selected can offer. It is importantly that we continue to focus as a team on working hard together."
Rebels: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Richard Kingi, 13 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12 Stirling Mortlock (capt), 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Adam Byrnes, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Kevin O'Neill, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Lachlan Mitchell, 21 Peter Betham, 22 Julian Huxley
Western Force: 15 Patrick Dellit, 14 Alfie Mafi, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 David Smith, 10 James Stannard, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock (capt), 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Sam Wykes, 4 Ben McCalman, 3 Matt Dunning, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Kieran Longbottom
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Jono Jenkins, 20 Mark Swanepoel, 21 Willie Ripia, 22 Cameron Shepherd
