Rebel Shota Horie to become first Japanese national to play Super Rugby BREAKTHROUGH man: Shota Horie in action for Japan. He will make Super Rugby debut this week. Picture: AP/Dita Alangkara Source: AP MELBOURNE import Shota Horie is poised to make Super Rugby history after being named in the Rebels team to face the Western Force on Friday night. Horie, a 19-Test veteran, will become the first Japanese national to play Super Rugby. The hooker has been named on the bench as support for incumbent No. 2 Ged Robinson as Melbourne's player revolution continues. Of the team that lost 25-21 to the Stormers in Cape Town last July, 10 have gone - Rodney Blake, Jono Owen, Hugh Perrett, James Hilgendorf, Stirling Mortlock, Mark Gerrard, Julian Huxley, Luke Holmes, Al Campbell and Ryan Hodson. Coach Damien Hill has partially replaced the those players with recruits Horie, Scott Higginbotham, Rory Sidey, Scott Fuglistaller, Alex Rokobaro and Tom English. Jarrod Saffty, Laurie Weeks, James O'Connor and Luke Jones return to the team after missing the Stormers match because of either injury, international duty or suspension. Melbourne boasts a 3-1 history with Western Force, but all three of Melbourne's wins have been one-point margins. The Force's sole success was by three points. Melbourne v Western Force, AAMI Park, 7.30pm Friday Melbourne's team - Nic Henderson, Ged Robinson, Laurie Weeks, Hugh Pyle, Luke Jones, Scott Higginbotham, Scott Fuglistaller, Gareth Delve, Nick Phipps, Kurtley Beale, Richard Kingi, Rory Sidey, Mitch Inman, Lachlan Mitchell, James O'Connor. Replacements - Paul Alo-Emile, Shota Horie, Cadeyrn Neville, Jarrod Saffy, Nic Stirzaker, Tom English, Alex Rokobaro.