Melbourne Rebels expected to go back to winning 15 after disastrous outing at Force

MELBOURNE Rebels will again make wholesale changes for Friday night's tough assignment against the Canterbury Crusaders at AAMI Park.

Luke Burgess fires a pass during a Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby training session at Visy Park.

MELBOURNE Rebels will again make wholesale changes for Friday night's tough assignment against the Crusaders at AAMI Park.

Coach Tony McGahan surprised many last week by making six changes to the side that comfortably defeated the Cheetahs in its season-opener.

A heavy road loss to the Western Force last weekend is expected see Melbourne revert back to the same starting 15 that ran out at AAMI Park a fortnight ago.

Fly half Bryce Hegarty, prop Toby Smith, flanker Scott Fuglistaller and winger Tom English are all tipped to return on Friday night.

Scrumhalf Luke Burgess said the changed line-up against the Force was no excuse for the average display.

News_Image_File: The Rebels have promised to sharpen their attitude when they play the Crusaders on Friday.

"I think the squad is strong and I think everyone is ready to go," Burgess said.

"We are building depth in our squad and I think anyone is ready to step in at any moment."

Rebels assistant coach Sean Hedger said last week's changes were more about getting a look at every player rather than experimenting.

"We have a squad where we don't feel there is a real standout 15 and a bottom 15," Hedger said.

"There are a lot of players on the same experience level, so we have to have a look at everyone.

"Prior to the game we had complete faith in those players we put in to do the job.

"Some of them didn't have their best days out, but they will get more opportunities."

The Crusaders have had a modest start to the Super Rugby season with one win and two losses.

News_Rich_Media: The Western Force have celebrated skipper Matt Hodgson's 100th game in style, belting the in-form Melbourne Rebels 32 to 7.

But Hedger said the successful New Zealand club's record over the past decade spoke for itself.

And he said their capacity to be consistently successful was a strong lesson for his team after last week's poor showing.

"One of the skills in this competition is to back performances week upon week," he said.

"I don't think it was them getting ahead of themselves - it was just they weren't able to perform at that same level two weeks in a row.

"We've learnt from it and they know they need to get back to that level.

LIKELY TEAM: Toby Smith, Pat Leafa, Laurie Weeks, Huge Pyle, Luke Jones, Sean McMahon, Scott Fuglistaller, Scott Higginbotham ©, Luke Burgess, Bryce Hegarty, Tom English, Mitch Inman, Tamati Ellison, Lachlan Mitchell, Jason Woodward.