Melbourne Rebels vow to keep pushing the limits in search for victory

The Melbourne Rebels will continue to “push the boundaries” in a bid to rediscover their 2019 mojo after two straight losses and a horror run of ill-discipline.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — APRIL 12: Rebels players \\during the round nine Super Rugby match between the Rebels and the Stormers at AAMi Park on April 12, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

The Melbourne Rebels will continue to “push the boundaries” in a bid to rediscover their 2019 mojo after two straight losses and a horror run of ill-discipline.

Backline star Reece Hodge said the entire playing group had returned to training this week full of intensity and energised after a bye last weekend, which they spent stewing on a scoreless second half against the Waratahs the previous week.

The defeat to their Australian conference rivals left the Rebels with a 5-4 record ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the rampaging Hurricanes in Wellington, who are $1.18 TAB favourites to inflict a third straight Rebels loss.

Reece Hodge says despite a poor disciplinary record the Rebels ‘want to push the limits as much as they can’. Picture: AAP Image/Craig Golding

Melbourne could be boosted by the return of captain Dane Haylett-Petty and possibly Wallabies hooker Jordan Uelese from injury.

But the immediate concern for coach Dave Wessels’ men was turning around some “predictable” work in attack and getting on top of the disciplinary issues which have plagued the Rebels’ season.

Of the 30 Melbourne players to feature in two or more games this season only one, hooker Robbie Abel, hasn’t given away a penalty. The Rebels have conceded 106, the second most in the competition behind the Sunwolves (107).

Forwards Tetera Faulkner and Matt Gibbon have conceded 17 penalties between them, flanker Angus Cottrell has given away nine, and former captain Adam Coleman seven.

The Melbourne Rebels are facing a third straight loss. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

The Rebels have also been handed seven yellow cards, the most in the competition, after more Melbourne players were sent from the field than any other team last season.

“A lot of our competition at training is about pushing the boundaries and really trying to push each other to the limits,” Hodge said on Tuesday.

“But there is a difference in terms of pushing the limits and giving away blatant penalties and giving the referees an easy decision.

“It’s about acknowledging we have been quite poor in that area and there are a few repeat offenders, it might be one person one week and a different person the next week.

“We have spoken a lot about it … but we still want to push the limits as much as we can.”

Hodge said the Rebels had gone “into our shells” against the Waratahs and wanted to refocus on playing the rugby that was successful at the start of the season.

“It’s about having options within the way we play,” he said.

“We have to do what we want to do better rather than changing too much to try and play like someone else.”

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels vow to keep pushing the limits in search for victory