Rebels dump Burgess to bench
AAP
March 27, 2014, 6:11 am
The Melbourne Rebels have dumped former Wallaby scrumhalf Luke Burgess to the bench among six changes for Friday's Super Rugby clash with the Brumbies following their thrashing by the Waratahs.
Nic Stirzaker replaces Burgess after recovering from an ankle problem, with coach Tony McGahan seeking fresh attacking impetus for his struggling side against a Brumbies side sitting atop the Australian conference.
"Luke has been at the forefront of our halves combo for all of our games this year, including the trial matches, and he has invested a lot physically and emotionally," McGahan said.
"We're looking for a new voice."
McGahan said he will look to Burgess to make an impact off the bench in the closing stages.
"We are really conscious of how we want to finish the game this week," he said.
"Certainly Luke brings great experience to the back end of the match."
Loosehead Max Lahiff and winger Tom Kingston get their chances to start due to Toby Smith's concussion and Lachlan Mitchell's season-ending knee injury, but the other changes were all made by choice following last weekend's 32-8 hammering.
Laurie Weeks returns from a blow to the head to start at tighthead ahead of Paul Alo-Emile, Colby Fainga'a comes in for Sean McMahon at blindside flanker and Jason Woodward takes back the No.15 shirt from Angus Roberts after missing last week's match because of a bruised knee.
Facing a fifth straight week without a bye, McGahan said he is too engrossed in his own side to worry too much about what the in-form Brumbies are up to.
"What we are about is looking after ourselves," he said.
"Obviously we look at the opposition, but the breadth of what we are trying to do is about what we can control ourselves.
"We have a great opportunity for the group to show off their belief in each other and their spirit, and we're looking forward to seeing that on show starting this Friday night against a very well coached and player-led group from Canberra."
Rebels: Jason Woodward, Tom Kingston, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Tom English, Bryce Hegarty, Nic Stirzaker, Scott Higginbotham, Scott Fuglistaller, Colby Fainga'a, Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle, Laurie Weeks, Pat Leafa, Max Lahiff. Res: Shota Horie, Paul Alo-Emilie, Cruze Ah-Nau, Cadeyrn Neville, Sean McMahon, Luke Burgess, Male Sa'u, Angus Roberts.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...gess-to-bench/
