Experience Ahead Of Drua Match

Veteran fly-half Matt Toomua will play a vital role for the Melbourne Rebels side against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua side this Friday.

The two time Super Rugby cham­pion just recently returned from Europe after playing for Leicester Tigers.

He could be up against Flying Fi­jians pivot Teti Tela when the two bottom seated teams face each oth­er later in the week.

His precise goal kicking ability and game management will be an area of concern the Nemani Nagu­sa captained side will have to look out for.

He will be a handful for Kitione Salawa and Vilive Miramira when he executes his game management ability against the Drua.

Good defensive communication will help in making sure the much experienced pivot is kept at bay during the gane.

Toomua will definitely start at first five eighth with young Carter Gordon moved to the bench after a heavy opening round loss.

According to Rebels news coach Kevin Foote said it was part of the learning process for 21-year-old Gordon, who is still finding his feet as a Super Rugby five eighth.

"Obviously, one of the things we didn't do well on the weekend was game management and Pup (Toomua) brings a lot of experi­ence in that space," Foote said on Friday.

"It just gives a good voice for us on our attacking strategy and our game management.

"We want to make sure we look after Carter and playing him off the bench takes the pressure off ... we're making sure that he doesn't feel like the world's on his shoul­ders, we're just taking our time with him."

Skipper Michael Wells said the Rebels' pride was "dented" by the 23-5 loss to the Reds and they were desperate to repay home fans who had only seen them play at home five times in almost two years.

"A few guys haven't played there ever so it's getting us used to the surroundings and taking the aura away from it.

"We've spoken about who we're representing in terms of the crowd, not what we're representing them on, in terms of the field."

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