Melbourne Rebels confident depth can cover growing casualty ward

INJURY-RAVAGED Melbourne believes it has enough depth to cover their growing casualty ward as the Rebels prepare to tackle a Reds side in turmoil.

Melb Rebels training at Ikon Park. James Hanson. Picture: Jay Town

MELBOURNE Rebels forward James Hanson believes his side has the resilience to overcome its latest injury setback with fullback Reece Hodge to miss up to five weeks.

Hodge strained his quad at a training session in Pretoria last week in the days leading up to the Rebels 45-25 loss to the Bulls.

The superboot is slated to miss four to five weeks, joining skipper Nic Stirzaker (shoulder), Scott Fuglistaller (hip), Colby Fainga’a (elbow) and Mike Harris (quad) in the Rebels’ casualty ward.

The timing is not ideal with Melbourne looking to make it two wins from its first three starts when the Rebels meet Queensland Reds in its first home game of the season at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

“It has been disappointing to have a few of those injuries and particularly so close to games,” Hanson said.

“But one thing I’ve noticed with this group is they are very resilient.

“Whatever comes our way, we’re able to deal with it and move on pretty quickly.

“The guys that have come in have stepped up tremendously and it gives them an opportunity to perform on that next level.”

Hanson played 82 games for the Reds before crossing to the Rebels at the end of last season.

Reece Hodge is set to miss four to five weeks with a quad strain.

The Reds are a team in crisis this week following the sacking of coach Richard Graham after a woeful start to the season.

The northern clean-out continued with long-time Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Jim Carmichael announcing he would also step down from his role at the end of the year

History says teams perform well immediately after a head coach is sacked, but Hanson said the Rebels could not afford to worry about the Reds’ woes.

“For us, we’ve just tried to focus on our job,” Hanson said.

“We’ve tried not to worry too much about that.

“Being involved last year, we know they’re definitely up for the local derbies as well so we need to be up for it as well.”

The Rebels hooker said he felt no nerves about facing his former side for the first time.

“I’m just treating it like another local derby,” he said.

“They’re always tough games against any of the Australian teams because you know each other’s games inside and out.

“For me, it is about owning your role.”