Scott Higginbotham says livewire halfback Nic Stirzaker will add to Rebels’ attack

SCOTT Higginbotham has backed Nic Stirzaker’s energy and Melbourne’s resilience as the Rebels face another torrid test against the Brumbies.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Nic Stirzaker of the Rebels controls the ball during a M

SCOTT Higginbotham has backed Nic Stirzaker’s energy and Melbourne’s resilience as the Rebels face another torrid Super Rugby test against the Brumbies at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Melbourne has lost its past three games, while the Brumbies lead the Australian conference after successive wins over Western Force, Hurricanes, NSW Waratahs and Stormers.

And an already daunting situation has become more challenging with an injury spate that has sidelined Lachlan Mitchell, Toby Smith, Tom Sexton, Lopeti Timani and Telusa Veainu.

But Higginbotham believes scrumhalf Stirzaker, who returns after an ankle injury and replaces Wallaby Luke Burgess, could help spark the Rebels back into peak form.

“He’s excited, he’s very keen to get his opportunity,” Higginbotham said.

“He’ll bring a lot of upbeat rugby onto the pitch.”

Higginbotham and coach Tony McGahan acknowledged Burgess’s workload through the three-game trial period and over the first four games of the season.

“Luke has been at the forefront of our halves combo for all of our games this year, including the trial matches, and he has invested a lot physically and emotionally,” McGahan said.

“We’re looking for a new voice and we are really conscious of how we want to finish the game this week.

“Certainly Luke brings great experience to the back end of the match.”

Higginbotham insists the Rebels can improve markedly as McGahan and the coaching staff strive to cut down unforced errors.

Melbourne’s record win over the Cheetahs has been followed by a variety of self-inflicted wounds, leading to defeats against Force, Crusaders and NSW.

“They were games lost off our mistakes,” Higginbotham said.

“A lot of penalties and a lapse in turnover defence from us and you give quick ball-running backs a bit of space and they make you pay for it.

“Everyone’s still keen and very excited to play. We’ve still got a long way to go yet.”

The magnitude of Melbourne’s challenge is underlined by the fact recuperating Wallabies centre Christian Lealiifano could not force his way into the Brumbies’ starting 15.

“They’ve got a lot of Wallabies in their mix and you can’t single out anyone,” Higginbotham said.

“You’ve got to beat them as a team, with your team doing their job.”

McGahan said the quality of the Brumbies was an unlikely advantage for the Rebels.

“It’s an absolute positive that we get to test ourselves against the best sides in the competition,” he said.

“The next four weeks will give us a really good indication of where we are at individually, and collectively as a group.

“We have a great opportunity for the group to show off their belief in each other and their spirit.”

The Brumbies have made just one change to their starting side which beat the Stormers last weekend, with Tevita Kuridrani named at outside centre after a week off for a family funeral.

Kuridrani’s inclusion pushes Andrew Smith to the bench, where he is joined by Lealiifano.