Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels has backed Isi Naisarani to become one of the best players in the world as the former ACT Brumbies back-rower prepares to make his return to Canberra Stadium.
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Naisarani has provided the Rebels with another strike-weapon after choosing to move to Melbourne at the end of last year to rekindle his partnership with Wessels.
The 23-year-old will become eligible to play for the Wallabies this year after the Fijian-born star served an extended waiting period to be available for Australia's World Cup campaign.
But he is set for a showdown with another rising star and future Wallaby when he locks horns with Brumbies young gun Rob Valetini in the opening game of the Super Rugby season.
Wessels recruited an unknown Naisarani to the Western Force three years ago and watched him closely in their year apart in 2018.
"Isi is incredibly humble and coachable. He's incredibly hungry at the moment and wants to give himself the best chance to make the World Cup team," Wessels said.
"I think people forget he's only going into his third season. He's got the world ahead of him if he continues to work, and he's been a massive asset to our group.
"There's a lot of growth and there's a lot of excitement about what he could become. As a coach it's a privilege to coach the best, and if Isi puts his mind to it he could become the best in the world in his position."
Former Brumbies hooker Robbie Abel will suit up for the Rebels for the first time in the match after being added to Wessels squad as injury cover.
BRUMBIES AND REBELS CHAIRMAN RENEW RIVALRY
There will also be a rivlary off the field when the Brumbies and Rebels chairmen go head to head 30 years after they were teammates in Canberra.
Brumbies chairman Matt Nobbs and Melbourne counterpart Paul Docherty played together for Easts in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the capital's premier rugby division.
Nobbs is about to start his first full season as the Brumbies chairman after filling the role on an interim basis last year before being elected at the annual general meeting.
Nobbs has invited Docherty to the round one contest with bragging rights to go on the line in what is believed to be an Australian rugby first for former club teammates.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. David Pocock, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Toni Pulu, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Wharenui Hawera, 23. Andy Muirhead.
Rebels: 1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Luke Jones, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Will Genia, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Billy Meakes, 13. Tom English, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Esei Haangana, 20. Brad Wilkin, 21. Rob Leota, 22. Michael Ruru, 23. Semisi Tupou.
