Rebel yell: Melbourne hopes ‘fairly harsh and very brutal’ review leads to attitude turnaround

THE Melbourne Rebels are hoping a review after the loss to the Western Force will become the foundation stone in beating the Crusaders.

Melbourne Rebels back Jason Woodward walks disconsolately from the field after the Force loss.

THE Melbourne Rebels are hopeful a brutal review immediately after a shattering loss to the Western Force will become the foundation stone for victory against the Crusaders at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Rebels players and coaching staff held a stinging review of the deflating 32-7 loss soon after leaving the pitch on Saturday night, and coach Tony McGahan is hopeful the horror loss has been left in Perth.

Hugh Pyle described the grisly post-match dissection as “fairly harsh and very brutal.”

Having leaked four tries in 27 minutes and having had only 46 per cent possession while giving up 16 turnovers, the Rebels must now swiftly regroup to be competitive against the Crusaders

News_Image_File: Rebels centre Mitch Inman can’t hide his disappointment after the loss to the Western Force.

McGahan hopes the rapid turnaround can be triggered by the review.

“We watched the game straight after the match before we flew back to Melbourne,” McGahan said.

“As you’d expect after a performance such as the one we delivered, it was very sombre, very quiet and just really looking for answers.

“We knew their attitude wasn’t there but by the time we found that out, we were 20 minutes into the game and the scoreboard was reflective of the game at 24-0.

“We made some changes and that seemed to stem the tide for the last 50 minutes but it was more about the energy, the attitude and will that we didn’t bring.”

News_Rich_Media: Melbourne Rebels representatives speak to the media following their heavy loss over the Western Force.

McGahan said Melbourne’s inexperience in maintaining intensity after the record win against the Cheetahs was instrumental in the dismal Perth effort.

“When you’re been doing this (coaching) for a little while that you certainly understand that, coming off the back of a really big result with a young group learning, there can always be some let-down,” he said.

“The guys are getting better at maintaining a higher level for longer at training sessions.

“For the intensity and enthusiasm to be completely missing from the group was most disappointing.”

News_Image_File: Rebels lock Hugh Pyle is beaten to the ball in a lineout by the Force’s Wilhelm Steenkamp.

McGahan said the Rebels were desperate to atone as seven-time champion Crusaders look to post their first win in Melbourne.

Pyle said the playing group was “not happy with how we played especially considering the way we played against the Cheetahs.”

“We were honest and brutal in what we said in the review. We all know it wasn’t good enough.

“There was a myriad of things that didn’t go right for us.”

McGahan expects to start his strongest 15 against the Crusaders after making six changes against the Force.