Navy Canberra Vikings v Melbourne Rebels preview

Tim Cornforth (SMP Images)

Venue & time
Olympic Park (Melbourne). Sunday, September 30, 4pm (AEST).

Head to head
Played 1. Rebels 1, Navy Canberra Vikings 0.

Last time
Aug 11, 2007, Manuka Oval (Canberra), Rebels 32-27 Navy Canberra Vikings

Team changes
The Rebels have made two changes to the staring line-up hammered by the Rays last start. World Cup-winning lock Matt Cockbain returns after having a rest last start, while Jack Farrer is back from injury to take over at inside centre with youngster Michael Hobbs going back to the bench. The only other change sees prop Josh Hately replace the injured Heamani Lavaka on the reserves bench.

The Navy Canberra Vikings have made a host of changes – seven in all. Representative prop Nic Henderson is out for the rest of the campaign after undergoing shoulder sugery in a bid to be fit for the Brumbies' 2008 Super 14 campaign. Dan Raymond comes in at loosehead with Jack Kennedy switching to tighthead. Hooker Saia Faingaa returns from a five-week lay-off due to a hamstring injury to complete a new-look front row. Dynamic flanker Jack Vanderglas returns at blindside flanker forcing utility Peter Kimlin into lock. In the backs, Patrick Phibbs starts ahead of Nick Haydon at scrumhalf, fullback Tim Wright has been named in the starting side but will be given until Friday to prove his fitness after sustaining an ankle injury against the Rams, and winger Francis Fainifo will miss the match after tearing his left hamstring on Saturday night; his place in the side will be taken by Tim Cornforth.

Form
The Rebels and the Navy Canberra Vikings have been near the top of the table all season but both have been hampered by a loss in form in recent weeks.

The Rebels were soundly beaten by the Spirit in Perth in round five before getting home in a close one against cellar-dwellars the Tornadoes 34-25 at Ballymore the following week. Last start, the wheels totally fell off the Rebels campaign when they slipped from second to fifth after being demolished by the Rays 55-7. However, they will be buoyed by the fact they came home strongly to defeat the Navy Canberra Vikings at Manuka Oval in the opening round.

The Navy Canberra Vikings were looking the goods mid-way through the season until they relinquished a big lead to lose by a point to the Aces in round four. They followed that up with a 56-29 defeat at the hands of the Fleet, and were then edged out by the Rays at home. Their season continued to slump when tamed 51-17 by the Rams last week.

Who's hot
Rebels skipper David Croft has been inspirational all season for the Rebels, while halves Luke Burgess and Dan Kelly have been going well. The back three of wingers Digby Ioane, Peter Playford and fullback Nathan Trist have impressed as has flanker Shawn Mackay and lock Richard Stanford.

Teenager Christian Lealiifano has been the find of the season for the Navy Canberra Vikings. He has been dynamic at pivot and one of the outstanding players in the Mazda ARC. Lock Peter Kimlin has also been impressive, while Canberra will be buoyed by the return of hard-working flanker Vanderglas and CA Brumbies rake Faingaa, both of whom can turn matches.

Teams
Melbourne Rebels
1. Scott Cameron, 2. James Hanson, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Matt Cockbain, 5. Richard Stanford, 6. Shawn Mackay, 7. David Croft (Captain), 8. Dave Haigh, 9. Luke Burgess, 10. Dan Kelly, 11. Digby Ioane, 12. Jack Farrer, 13. James Lew, 14. Peter Playford, 15. Nathan Trist.
Reserves: 16. Nick Churven, 17. Josh Hately, 18. Liam Shaw, 19. David Haydon, 20. Jon McGrath, 21. Michael Hobbs, 22. Damon Murphy.

Navy Canberra Vikings
1. Dan Raymond, 2. Saia Faingaa, 3. Jack Kennedy, 4. Alister Campbell (c), 5. Peter Kimlin, 6. Jack Vanderglas, 7. Julian Salvi, 8. Jone Tawake, 9. Patrick Phibbs, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Tim Cornforth, 12. Anthony Faingaa, 13. Matt Carraro, 14. Eddie McLaughlin, 15. Tim Wright.
Reserves: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. John Ulugia, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Dan Guinness, 19. Nick Haydon, 21. Rowan Kellam, 22. Ben Johnston, 23. Solomon Fainifo (one to be omitted).