Melbourne Rebels to be boosted by return of Colby Fainga’a and Tom Kingston for clash with Rebels

MELBOURNE Rebels will be boosted by the return of Colby Fainga’a and Tom Kingston for Saturday’s clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Colby Fainga'a, Melbourne Rebels training at Visy Park, Carlton. Photo: Josie Hayden

CHIEFS star Aaron Cruden will miss Saturday’s clash with the Melbourne Rebels after breaking his thumb as the Rebels rushed Colby Fainga’a and Tom Kingston to Auckland.

Fainga’a (hip) and Kingston (concussion) have recovered after missing the Rebels shattering 33-30 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Backrower Jordy Reid has flown back to Australia.

Both Melbourne and the Chiefs continue to monitor significant injury lists ahead of a doubly important fixture.

Chasing a third successive championship, the Chiefs are suddenly under pressure – despite sitting atop the New Zealand conference - after failing to win either of their matches in South Africa.

That disappointment was softened by two bonus-point draws - and a vital six points overall - as the Rebels rue lost opportunity in a 33-30 bonus point loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

While Melbourne coach Tony McGahan remains upbeat after addressing costly kicking issues, the Rebels’ depth is under severe pressure with nine players unavailable.

And playmaker Bryce Hegarty continues to be monitored after suffering concussion.

Hegarty was sidelined only two minutes into the Highlanders after being upended clumsily by an opponent while jumping for a high ball.

McGahan said the young back would continue to undergo concussion protocols.

Aware of the Chiefs’ extensive potency, McGahan continues to bolster the confidence of his young group.

“We’ve got every reason to be optimistic, every reason to continue,” he said.

“We’ve been fighting hard all season and we’ll continue we’ll get some really tough lessons on what you need to win on the road.

“When your opportunity comes, you need to be able execute and grab it.”

McGahan’s counterpart Dave Rennie was furious with the Chiefs’ sloppy start against the Cheetahs, who led by 24 points at half-time - only to be caught with a converted try on the final whistle.

“We’ve been lucky in the last couple of weeks and while there is a hell of a lot of character involved in this group we’ve seriously got to look at the way we’re starting,” Rennie said.

“We just didn’t do well enough first half and if we’re going to have aspirations of winning the championship we’ve got to be a hell of a lot better.

“You can cloud things and say that it was a great comeback in the second, which it was, but the way we played in the first 40 minutes is unforgivable.”

For all their supposed failings, the Chiefs still ran in 11 tries in South Africa against mountainous defences.

The Chiefs are likely to make several changes for the Rebels amid concerns surrounding front rowers Ben Afeaki (concussion) and Mahonri Schwalger (eye surgery).

The Rebels are bottom of the Australian conference and 13th overall with two wins from six matches.