Melbourne Rebels' raw halves pairing gets full backing ahead of Stormers challenge

UPDATE: SUPER Rugby's rawest creative pairing will attempt to steer Melbourne Rebels to a landmark victory against the Stormers Friday night.

Bryce Hegarty

NICK Stirzaker and Bryce Hegarty -- Super Rugby's rawest creative pairing -- will attempt to steer Melbourne Rebels to a landmark victory against the Stormers at AAMI Park Friday night.

With 13 Super Rugby appearances between them, the playmaking responsibilities will fall to scrumhalf Stirzaker and flyhalf Hegarty.

The pair, both 20, were pressed into action following injuries to James O'Connor and Angus Roberts, the resting of Nick Phipps and Kurtley Beale's suspension.

Stirzaker has started in a handful of his 12 games, while Hegarty has 50 minutes of experience at Super Rugby level.

Rebels coach Damien Hill is confident his inexperienced halves can provide the spark needed to turn repeated close defeats into an historic first win against a South African opponent.

"The team are very confident with Bryce and Stirzy," Hill said. "If there's any apprehension in the group, I don't see it.

"They know it's going to be a hard ask and a very hard game, but they're up for the challenge.

"South African teams, by default, are big but you won't get two more courageous defenders than Bryce or Stirzy.

"They've got good line speed, they've got good technique and, as long as they go low on these gentlemen, they'll be fine."

Captain Scott Higginbotham, Australia's premier back-rower, said Stirzaker and Hegarty would be given full rein to create from the scrumbase.

"We put our faith and trust in Bryce and Stirzy to make the right decisions," Higginbotham said.

"Stirzy has obviously been in and out for a number of years. He's got a bit experience under his belt.

"Bryce is fresh and he's got nothing to worry about. All he's got to do is go out there and do his best."

Stirzaker and Hegarty are among 13 of the starting XV tonight to have committed to the Rebels for next season and beyond. Only prop Ged Robinson, who is returning to New Zealand, and flanker Jarrod Saffy are likely to be elsewhere in 2014.

The Rebels will be bolstered by an influx of recruits next year, led by Luke Burgess, Tom Sexton, Max Lahiff, Colby Fainga'a and Lopeti Timani.

In 11 games against South African clubs, the Rebels have frequently got themselves into matchwinning positions before succumbing.

They were beaten twice by small margins in South Africa last year and were downed on the last kick of the match by the Kings last month.

Higginbotham said Melbourne could break through after losses of three, four, six and four points in the past four weeks. Two of those were to the Crusaders and Blues -- both traditional powers -- on their home grounds.

"All the boys have a spring in their steps -- (scoring) 10 tries in the last two weeks, that's a pretty good effort," Higginbotham said.

"If we switch on in defence and keep those tries ticking over, we'll be getting the wins on the board.

"We've got to work on switching on for the whole game, not just in sections."

Stormers have made seven changes.

Elton Jantjies returns, while hooker Deon Fourie will move from the front to the back row (No.6), with Siya Kolisi shifting to the other side of the scrum and Nizaam Carr playing at No.8.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 12 REBELS v STORMERS AAMI PARK, 7.40PM

Head to head: Stormers 2-0

Last time: Stormers 26-21

TAB odds Stormers $1.40, Rebels $2.80

REBELS Nic Henderson, Ged Robinson, Laurie Weeks, Hugh Pyle, Cadeyrn Neville, Jarrod Saffy, Scott Fuglistaller, Scott Higginbotham, Nic Stirzaker, Bryce Hegarty, Lachlan Mitchell, Rory Sidey, Mitch Inman, Tom English, Jason Woodward. Replacements: Shota Horie, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Jones, Gareth Delve, Jordy Reid, Nick Phipps, Kimami Sitauti.

STORMERS Steven Kitshoff, Scarra Ntubeni, Pat Cilliers, Eben Etzebeth, Andries Bekker, Deon Fourie, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Elton Jantjies, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, Gio Aplon, Joe Pietersen. Replacements: Martin Bezuidenhout, Frans Malherbe, Gerbrandt Grobler, Don Armand, Nic Groom, Gary van Aswegen, Gerhard van den Heever

LEO SCHLINK SAYS

The Rebels are without O'Connor, Beale and Vuna, they've lost their past four by narrow margins and now face a Super Rugby giant - but they can win.

REBELS BY 2