Scott Higginbotham has chance to remind selectors of Test worth in Rebels’ final games

TONY McGahan wants Scott Higginbotham to use the Rebels’ remaining games to convince Wallaby selectors of his worth ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Melbourne Rebels training at Visy Park, Scott Higginbotham at training. June 25th 2014. Picture : Colleen Petch

MELBOURNE Rebels coach Tony McGahan has charged skipper Scott Higginbotham to use the side’s three remaining games to convince Wallaby selectors of his worth ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Many were surprised when the Rebels captain was snubbed in favour of Wycliff Palu for the Wallabies’ first Test match against France last month.

Higginbotham won a bench spot for the second Test in Melbourne before picking up an injury that ruled him out of the third international.

McGahan backed the star No.8 to respond well starting with Friday night’s fixture against Queensland Reds at AAMI Park.

“It’s a pretty competitive position in the (Australian) back row,” McGahan said.

“It gives Scott a lot of drive for us for the next three games to come back.

“We’ll talk and we’ll get a few things that he needs to work on that’s he had some feedback on to make sure he’s back into that team.

“I know he’s really keen to get back in there and then make an impact.”

McGahan said his side’s performances leading into the international break may have contributed to the non-selection.

“As a forward pack we were dominated against the Waratahs and Brumbies and that probably went against the guys selection wise,” he said.

“Now these guys get an opportunity the next three games to put their best foot forward.”

Friday night’s clash against the Reds will be Melbourne’s final home match of the season.

The side will then head to South Africa for its final two games against the Lions and the Bulls.

McGahan said it was imperative his team made the final home game a good one.

“We lost a lot of goodwill and let down a lot of people with our performance against the Waratahs in our last outing at home,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot to make up in regards to that.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to get back at home and play well.

“We’ve had great support there this year and for us to perform well this week would give us a great opportunity to get over the Reds.”

Melbourne remains in line for its best ever finish as it enters the final stretch of the season.

It sits on four wins with three games remaining.

Last year the Rebels won five matches - which was the best record in the club’s three-year history.

“We certainly knew coming in with 15 new players in the squad that there would be a large changeover,” McGahan said.

“We had to refine things and go back and get some basic structures in place in the group for us to go forward before we worry about that part of it (win-loss record).

“What we’ve tried to do is get the players to understand what a really good program is and how hard that is.”