Melbourne Rebels can compete with Hurricanes in Wellington, insists coach Tony McGahan

MELBOURNE Rebels coach Tony McGahan is refusing to be overawed by the challenge of a trip to face the Hurricanes, insisting his side can compete.

The Melbourne Rebels have been handed a tough opening to the new Super League season.

THE Melbourne Rebels are given about as much chance of beating the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday as the Sunwolves were in Tokyo last week.

So given that the Japanese side suffered a 83-17 loss to the defending Super Rugby champions, Melbourne’s trip to Westpac Stadium shapes as a daunting one — particularly in light of its own 56-18 loss to Auckland last week.

But Rebels coach Tony McGahan is refusing to be overawed by the challenge, insisting his side goes to Wellington confident of its chances.

The Rebels are by far the biggest outsiders of the round, rated a $14 chance by TAB of causing an upset against the $1.02 Hurricanes.

Last week the Sunwolves were at $15 and were outmatched accordingly.

McGahan understands the scale of the challenge against a Hurricanes side that has won six in a row at home — conceding just 12 points in last year’s three play-off games combined.

But daunting? The coach isn’t so sure about that.

“I don’t know if it’s daunting. They’re just a good, quality opposition — like pretty much everyone else in the competition,” McGahan said.

“It’s going to be a tough game obviously, the Hurricanes have had a pretty decent record here the last few years, they don’t give up many points and they’re back to full strength,

“There’s a fair bit (of firepower), but that’s the challenge of coming here.

Rebels suffered a heavy defeat to the Auckland Blues last outing.

“We knew early on about the (tough) start we have. It gives us a great barometer of where we’re at and where we can get better.

“More importantly, the boys are really looking forward to competing hard [on Saturday] night.”

McGahan said “work rate off the ball” was the key review focus following last week’s AAMI Park loss, reasoning that with greater kicking accuracy in general play and with more intensity in the chase that “a lot of issues” would have been solved.

Centre Mitch Inmnan and hooker James Hanson return, while code-hopper Marika Koroibete will also make his first Rebels appearance since crossing from the Melbourne Storm.

“It’s a great opportunity for Marika,” McGahan said.

“He’s missed out the last few weeks (with a knee injury), now he gets the opportunity to play.

“He really just needs to do the things that come naturally to him. We’ll continue work on things as we go forward, but first and foremost we need to get him on the pitch and then we can get a marker on where he’s at.”

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels can compete with Hurricanes in Wellington, insists coach Tony McGahan