James O'Connor back to boost Rebels against Quade Cooper's Reds

JAMES O'Connor has been thrust into a high-stakes battle with Wallaby rival Quade Cooper as the Rebels chase a third consecutive victory.

James O'Connor

JAMES O'Connor has been thrust into a high-stakes battle with Wallaby rival Quade Cooper as Melbourne Rebels chase a third consecutive victory tomorrow night.

O'Connor's return from a chest injury to face Queensland Reds in Brisbane has forced rookie flyhalf Bryce Hegarty to the bench after he impressed in wins against the Stormers and NSW.

Melbourne's form since losing to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in Round 7 has made it the fifth-best performing team in Super Rugby.

The Rebels scored 105 points (14th best) in their first seven matches, but have since piled on 202 in eight games to be the second highest-scoring team.

It is a similar pattern with tries. After seven rounds, Melbourne had scored a competition-worst nine tries. In the ensuing eight games, it has created 25 tries - a figure eclipsed only by the Waratahs.

The Rebels have the chance to create more history tomorrow night against a team they have never beaten.

If they do so, they will pocket a record fifth win for the season - and notch three consecutive victories for the first time.

Foundation captain Stirling Mortlock, who retired at the end of last season, said the Rebels were on the rise.

"They've worked on, slowly but surely, the core components of their game and they've slowly but surely got better," he said.

"In particular, the confidence in what the team is trying to do has got better."

Mortlock said the Rebels' form since returning from South Africa - which has included narrow losses to the Chiefs, Crusaders, Blues and Kings - was the result of coach Damien Hill's collaboration with an emerging group of players.

"From my understanding, it's coach and player driven," Mortlock said.

"Everyone within the entire club has focused on exactly what we need to do to improve consistently.

"Also, the team seems to be a really tight-knit group of guys who are focused on getting better and have an understanding that a long-term goal of being a really successful team isn't far beyond them."

Conceding the test posed by Queensland was huge, Mortlock said the Rebels had improved in all areas.