Melbourne Rebels wary of a Sunwolves team with point to prove after being cut from Super Rugby

Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels wasn’t shocked by the Sunwolves’ stunning win over the Waratahs last week and that’s reflected in the line-up he’s named to tackle the galvanised Japanese team.

Marika Koroibete is part of a strong Rebels team to take on the Sunwolves. Picture: AFP

The pain of being told you’re not wanted can be “galvanising” for a team according to Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels and makes the Sunwolves more threatening.

Wessels was in charge of the now defunct Western Force when they were cut from Super Rugby in 2017, a fate which has befallen the Japanese outfit.

The tourists showed their mettle with a stirring two-point win over the Waratahs in Newcastle last week playing with an “us against the world” mentality Wessels knows all about.

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The Rebels mentor is also extremely aware how important a win for his team is against an Australian conference rival, so after a month of chopping and changing Wessels is rolling out his best available line-up for Saturday night’s AAMI Park clash.

“We’ve really targeted the conference games. I’ve said it before, not only do you win but the opposition doesn’t, so they are almost worth double,” Wessels said on Thursday.

“Having been in the situation myself where a team is cut from the competition, it’s a real galvanising thing. I expect them to come out and play like a team.

“You feel it’s you against the world when you are in that position and it’s a very easy thing to get people up for the contest. And it’s a contact sport, so that plays a big role in performance.

“It’s a real challenge for us but that’s why I’ve put what I consider our best team at the current time on the field.”

Jack Maddocks (left) in mobbed by teammates after scoring a try. Picture: AAP

Wessels said it was a “sad thing for the competition” that the Sunwolves were cut, but it could prove the catalyst for more change in Super Rugby.

“In large parts the quality of the rugby is good, it’s been competitive this year, every team in the comp has lost a game,” he said.

“But it would be naive of us to say we don’t need to make some changes.”

The Rebels are on top of the Australian conference with four wins from six games and fourth on the Super Rugby table.

Both losses came in South Africa and despite a return to the winners’ list last week against the Reds, in a comprehensive victory, Wessels said the search for consistency in performance was driving his team to get better.

“In terms of how we measure our training on Tuesday we had one of our toughest sessions ever, in terms of the intensity the guys brought, which is a really good sign,” Wessels said.

“Because nothing in sport is luck, it’s about inputs and outputs, and I think if we are prepared to work hard in the week, the weekend takes care of itself.”

REBELS LINE-UP

1. Tetera Faulkner

2. Anaru Rangi

3. Jermaine Ainsley

4. Matt Philip

5. Adam Coleman

6. Luke Jones

7. Angus Cottrell (c)

8. Isi Naisarani

9. Will Genia

10. Quade Cooper

11. Marika Koroibete

12. Billy Meakes

13. Tommy English

14. Jack Maddocks

15. Reece Hodge

Reserves:

16. Hugh Roach

17. Matt Gibbon

18. Pone Fa’amausili

19. Ross Haylett-Petty

20. Rob Leota

21. Michael Ruru

22. Campbell Magnay

23. Semisi Tupou

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels wary of a Sunwolves team with point to prove after being cut from Super Rugby