Young Rebels get chance to impress in final two Super Rugby games of season

Rebels skipper Gareth Delve said the raft of young players who will get starts in the final two rounds can lay down a "marker'' for next season

Gareth Delve

VICTORIES are the goal for the Melbourne Rebels in their remaining two Super Rugby games this season.

Captain Gareth Delve said the young players who started against the Brumbies tonight and the Highlanders in the final round could lay down a marker for next season, too.

Rebels coach Damien Hill was forced to make 10 changes to his line-up for tonight's clash in Canberra after injuries and Wallabies call-ups robbed him of his frontline players.

Youngsters Nic Stirzaker, Bryce Hegarty and Jordy Reid will take their place in the starting line-up, with the likes of debutant James King on the bench.

Delve, who also resumes his position at No.8, said winning both clashes remained the priority but conceded there was a lot to be gained for next year with solid performances.

With the make-up of the Rebels squad for 2014 still taking shape, Delve said the likes of halfback Stirzaker and flyhalf Hegarty could put themselves in the frame for more regular starts next year with good performances now.

"(The goals) are definitely about this year, about getting the wins this season," Delve said.

"But in terms of what some of the young guys are doing, like Jordy Reid, stepping into positions and having a crack, they need to lay a marker down.

"They are very early in their careers and every opportunity has to be used to show what they are capable of every time the guys get the chance to pull on the jersey.

"I don't think Bryce would be expecting the minutes he had this year, and Nic Stirzaker gets his chance to play with (Luke Burgess) on the bench breathing down his neck and looking ominous for next season.

"They'll come in fresh and wanting to finish this season off on a high, help keep the momentum going and put their hands up for starting positions for next year."

The Rebels will start outsiders against a Brumbies outfit, also depleted by Wallabies departures, but also knowing a bonus-point win would secure them the Australian conference title.