Melbourne Rebels prop Laurie Weeks under no illusions about magnitude of Tahs clash

REBELS prop Laurie Weeks says this weekend’s clash with the Tahs will show the strength of the two sides most likely to jostle for second spot — and possibly a finals wildcard.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: Laurie Weeks of the Rebels drives the ball forward during the round three Super Rugby match between the Rebels and the Reds at AAMI Park on March 12, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE Rebels prop Laurie Weeks says Sunday’s game against the NSW Waratahs is a true eight-point encounter.

With the Queensland Reds and Western Force struggling and the ACT Brumbies already establishing a four-point gap atop the Australian conference, the Allianz Stadium clash is one between the two sides most likely to jostle for second spot in the division — and possibly a finals wildcard.

“It’s huge because we’re looking to get in to the top two,” Weeks said.

“We can really measure where we stand in the Australian conference against the Waratahs.

“(Coach) Tony (McGahan) hasn’t skimmed over it. He’s pointed out that a lot of these games early on we’ve got to win, we don’t want to be at the end of the season as struggling to get points.”

Laurie Weeks says his team is under no illusions about how big the Tahs clash is

Weeks played in the Rebels’ first-ever game — against the Waratahs in 2011.

The 29-year-old said the team’s expectations now are markedly different.

“Back then we would have just been happy competing,” he said.

“But coming away from this weekend we won’t be happy with anything less than a win.”

Despite coming off in the loss to the Highlanders last week, centre Tamati Ellison (hamstring) and fullback Jonah Placid (shoulder) will be available.

Winger Tom English (knee), however, is unlikely to play.

The Rebels are 3-2, but have already endured trips to Perth, Pretoria and Tokyo.

“I’ve pointed out to a few guys that we only won three games in our first year,” Weeks said.

“And that’s not saying we’re happy we lost those games, but we’ll take the positives (from the start of the season) and go from there.”

Originally published as Melbourne Rebels prop Laurie Weeks under no illusions about magnitude of Tahs clash