Brumbies determined to make up for poor tour but won’t be taking Rebels lightly

STUNG by successive losses in Africa, the Brumbies won’t be taking the Rebels lightly - something Stephen Larkham says they did in round seven.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Sam Carter of the Brumbies heads to the try line to score a try during the round 13 Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Sharks at Canberra Stadium on May 10, 2014 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

THE pain of consecutive losses in South Africa will ensure the Brumbies enter their clash with the Rebels hungry, according to coach Stephen Larkham.

The Brumbies went to Africa as Australian conference leaders but defeats to the Cheetahs and the Bulls saw them slip to third on their return, and out of the top six overall.

With the June Test window beginning next week, the ACT club’s clash with Melbourne at GIO Stadium on Saturday night is a crucial one.

Another loss could seriously imperil the club’s hopes of making the finals, and all-important momentum into the Test hiatus will either be secured or let drift by the Brumbies as well. There are only three games left after the break.

Larkham said the team’s mindset won’t be an issue after their recent tour.

“We want to make sure this game is successful because we’re very disappointed with losing two in a row, which we haven’t done for a long time,” Larkham said.

“We were very disappointed with the one point out of the tour. We had a short week this week, which is actually the third short week in a row. I think that’s hurt our momentum a little bit.

“We have put a couple of good solid training sessions in and the boys have locked away the knowledge and are focussed on putting in a big performance against the Rebels. News_Rich_Media: Rugby HQ's Sean Maloney delights in this week's top five rugby bloopers.

“Having the disappointment of that African tour, I think the guys are really focussed on putting everything into this game and then the team will split up after that. But there’s no thought of that at the moment, and in fact, our Wallabies guys aren’t even thinking about packing until Sunday morning before they have to go.”

The Rebels won’t make for compliant rebound fodder, however, after dusting the Brumbies 32-24 in Melbourne in round seven.

Larkham said his team won’t make the same mistakes mentally as they did in that first encounter.

“This won’t be a performance in which we are going to underestimate the opposition, which I think we did in the first round,” he said.

Larkham made several changes to his side for the clash, with Clyde Rathbone, Pat McCabe, Ruan Smith and Fotu Auelua to the starting side.

Fullback Jesse Mogg and Leon Power were demoted to the bench, with Ben Alexander rested and Robbie Coleman out sick.

Rathbone announced this week he will be retiring at the end of the season.