Rebels captain Adam Coleman says club will come under intense focus after stellar start

MELBOURNE Rebels captain Adam Coleman says the element of surprise is disappearing and now other teams will start to put a target on his side’s back.

The Rebels have started the season 3-0 for the first time in their history

MELBOURNE Rebels captain Adam Coleman says the element of surprise is disappearing and now other teams will start to put a target on his side’s back.

But Coleman says the wildcard for his new-look team is that it will only continue to get better seeing it has played just three games and two trials together since the off-season’s mass overhaul.

The Rebels went into the round on top of the Super Rugby ladder after enjoying a first-ever 3-0 start to a season.

A win against the NSW Waratahs would complete the set of wins against fellow Australian Conference sides, after it scored bonus point victories over each of Queensland, the Sunwolves and ACT.

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The Rebels have started the season 3-0 for the first time in their history

But it will be easier said than done, Coleman said.

“You think of the first time Marika (Koroibete) came on the scene, no one knew about him, only from what they’d seen in rugby league,” Coleman said.

“But then they saw how good he is, so you take note and then mark him harder.

“I think it’s exactly the same (as a team). You win three games and other sides are going to start to review you more and games are going to get harder from there on in.

“Teams are going to be analysing our lineouts, our scrums, a lot more than they have in the past.

“But that’s exciting for us. It makes sure that we’re on our toes and being smart and creative in the way that we want to play.”

Adam Coleman says the Rebels have a target on their back as a result of their success

But while they may soon become a hunted entity, Coleman said the Rebels would only continue to get better.

“We’re still going through a lot of teething problems in terms of having a lot of talent - something which I don’t think the club is too used to having, a lot of depth in the squad,

“It’s a really pleasing sign having so much depth in the side.

“We’re only three games in,

“We’ve had some injuries to deal with, nothing’s really gone our way.

“Just finding that way to win is something that’s pleasing that I’ve seen in the squad.”

The Waratahs will be fired up following a mixed tour of South Africa

A fourth-straight win would arguably make the Rebels favourites to top the Australian Conference.

And while he can understand that fans would get excited at that prospect, he said the players can’t afford to cast ahead to things like finals.

“You want to use that momentum, but at the same time it’s important not to get carried away,” he said.

“If you look too far ahead you can easily get derailed.”