Melbourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan brings side back to earth after victory over Brumbies

SCOTT Higginbotham says coach Tony McGahan has gone to extremes to prevent a Rebels’ let-down in the aftermath of last week’s upset of the Brumbies.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Scott Higginbotham looks on during a Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby training session at Visy Park on April 1, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

SCOTT Higginbotham says Melbourne coach Tony McGahan has gone to extremes to prevent a Rebels’ let-down in the aftermath of last week’s boilover against the Brumbies.

Desperate to avoid a repeat of the vapid performance against Western Force that followed a record win over the Cheetahs in the club’s opening round, McGahan has bluntly reinforced home truths.

Preparing to face the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night, the Rebels have felt McGahan’s lash at training this week as a deterrent against inconsistency.

“Dumper’s (McGahan) made a good point of that and really made us pay for that this week,” Higginbotham said.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so bad about a win.

“It’s just his way of keeping the boys grounded, I guess.

“I don’t think any of them (players) are getting ahead of themselves and I don’t think they did last time either.

“I think it was inexperience. They just didn’t know how the competition works.”

Melbourne has a 2-3 record and is yet to win abroad — an anomaly Higginbotham intends to correct this week.

“Definitely something we’re talking about,” he said.

“That’s what you sort of look for, playing in this competition — those little benchmarks that you can hit.

“When you’re overseas, it’s (winning) a big one. Especially in New Zealand.

“For us, to be honest, every game is special to get a win.

“That’s what Dumper and I talked about after the game on Friday. It’s week to week.”

Flanker Scott Fuglistaller said the club is striving to perfect its travelling routine.

The former Highlander confirmed the goal of winning abroad was one of the club’s 2014 ambitions

“It’s been mentioned,” he said.News_Rich_Media: A stunning upset in Melbourne with the Rebels ending the Brumbies four-match winning streak with a fine second half comeback.

“It’s a real shame that we haven’t been able to win out of Australia.

“This year, it’s been put in policy I guess, with training loads and things to try and get the best out of the players.”

One of Melbourne’s most rugged and energetic contributors, Fuglistaller said the Rebels were still searching for constant levels of performance.

“We really haven’t shown any consistency as of yet,” he said.

“The first game we played well (against the Cheetahs), then we played awful the next game (against the Force).

“Last week we played well, but we’re trying to find that consistency.

“I guess it (the Brumbies win) shows we have a blueprint that works against the best teams.

“It’s just about having the mental aptitude to putting it into each week.

“That is the challenge. It’s more a challenge within ourselves.

“In this competition, if you’re down by 10 per cent which the Brumbies probably were at the weekend, you’re gonna get beaten. That’s how tough it is.”

Fuglistaller played two games for the Highlanders after moving south from the Hurricanes in 2012.

He was recruited the following season by Melbourne after repeated bouts of concussion ended Tom Chamberlain’s Super Rugby career.

“They (Highlanders) gave me my first opportunity at Super Rugby,” he said.

“Without that opportunity, without them giving me that opportunity, I probably wouldn’t be here so I’m very thankful to the organisation.

“It’s going to be interesting going back there.

“The crowd there is pretty hostile, but kind of cool.

“It’s going to be 16 degrees and raining so that stadium is going to come in pretty handy.

“They are very rugged at ruck time, so we’re going to get a pretty physical battle at the breakdown.”