The Rebels have named two Japanese players in their match 23 for Friday's clash with the Waratahs in Sydney.

Centre Male Sa'u joins compatriot Shota Horie on the Rebels bench, while coach Tony McGahan has made two changes to the starting line-up. Jason Woodward (knee) and Laurie Weeks (concussion) are the casualties from last weekend's loss to the Crusaders, presenting starting opportunities to Angus Roberts (fullback) and Paul Alo-Emile (tighthead prop).

Tom Kingston also returns to the match-day squad, replacing Telusa Veainu on the bench, while prop Cruze Ah-Nau is in contention to make his Super Rugby debut after being selected as a reserve.

Rebels – 15 Angus Roberts, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Higginbotham (c), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.
Subs: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Cruze Ah-Nau, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Colby Fainga'a, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Male Sa'u, 23 Tom Kingston.

Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images