Happy Melbourne Rebels back to their best for clash with the Reds

The Melbourne Rebels have lost three in a row. But what have they done to become a ‘different team’ going in to Friday’s must- win clash with the Queensland Reds ?

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The Melbourne Rebels are a “different team” to the one which went to the bye two weeks ago down and out after a scoreless second half in the loss to the Waratahs.

After a bye the Rebels backed that effort up with a scoreless opening half in last week’s loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington as the home team ran in four tries.

But the Rebels rocketed home in the final 40 minutes and outscored the Canes, second favourites to win the competition, 19-3.

Rebels coach Dave Wessels conceded his men were “flat” because they weren’t playing the sort of rugby which propelled them to five wins in the opening seven games of the season.

But he saw enough in that second-half comeback in Wellington, and at training this week, to indicate his men were ready to light up Friday’s must-win home clash with the Queensland Reds.

Billy Meakes returns to the starting lineup for the Rebels against the Reds. Picture: Getty Images

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“I feel like we are a different team to the one we were probably 10 days ago,” Wessels said on Wednesday.

“Going in to the bye we weren’t happy with where our game was at. Looking at training we are doing some things we weren’t doing 10 days ago so we feel real pleased about that.

“We have a couple of games at home now so its important we find our rhythm and our flow and enjoy our rugby again as well.

“The big focus has been trying to do that again and I think there has been real positive signs in training. But the reality is the game is played on Friday night and we have to deliver it then.”

The Rebels early season lead in the Australian conference has been eroded too.

And while a win over the Reds would be a massive step forward in pursuit of a maiden finals berth, Wessels wasn’t getting lost in the bigger picture.

Separating from other teams.

Dane Haylett-Petty also returns to the Rebels’ starting side. Picture: Getty Images

“I haven’t talked about that at all. I have enjoyed this season much more than previous seasons because we have just focused on being the best version of ourselves,” he said.

“That’s probably why we have been a bit flat the last few weeks because we haven’t been playing well, irrespective of the score.

“I think there’s a little bit more energy in the group in the past 10 days when he start to see our game come together again, we are starting to feel good, we are connecting with each other on and off the field in positive ways, that’s what has made the difference.”

Wessels has moved Billy Meakes and lock Ross Haylett-Petty in to the starting line-up after a bold showing by both men off the bench last week.

Tom English misses the match with a slight calf issue while former captain Adam Coleman is still battling a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, the Rebels will tackle a maiden Super Rugby finals campaign without star signing Matt Toomua who won’t return to Australia in time to qualify.

The Rebels are equal leaders in the Australian conference after 10 games with the winner guaranteed a finals spot.

But Toomua’s commitments with English club Leicester will prohibit the fly-half from playing enough games with the Rebels to play finals should they get there.

Rebels signing Matt Toomua won’t return from Leicester in time to qualify for the Super Rugby finals. Picture: Getty Images

Toomua, who is expected to be part of the Wallabies World Cup campaign, signed with the Rebels for three years and it was hoped he could have played a role in the second half of this season.

But Leicester is currently in a relegation battle and Toomua will be required for the Tigers final game against Bath on May 18.

He won’t be released to the Rebels until after that and unable to play the four games required to qualify for finals.