Melbourne Rebels say they need to stop Springbok flyer, Willie le Roux, in their Super Rugby opener against the Cheetahs on Friday night.
Melbourne Rebels training.Captain Scott Higginbotham (on left with moustache) Photo: Ellen Smith Source: News Corp Australia
CONFRONTED with quelling one of the most dynamic packs in Super Rugby, Melbourne coach Tony McGahan is backing his Rebels forwards to match the Cheetahs at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Concerned Melbourne will lack “match intensity” after last week’s bye, McGahan said the battle of the forwards would be pivotal.
The Rebels will concede 36kg in weight - much of it in the front row where Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen tips the scales at 129kg - but McGahan is confident his pack can cope.
“We really have a lot of time for the forward pack at this stage,” McGahan said.
“We’ve certainly been well in the contest in the three (trial) games against NSW, a good pack, the Highlanders had a good pack and the Reds have got a seasoned international pack.
“We felt that we got some good traction in those three games and South African sides are big on contact and big on set piece so that will be a clear decider.”
Set to unveil up to nine new faces, McGahan said a positive start was vital.
“We certainly need to make sure we get an early imprint,” he said.
“That’s really important in any game, but especially when you’re at home - first game for us.
“The Cheetahs are on their third game of the season so match intensity, we’ll be a little bit behind in that regard.
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“But we’re really looking forward to making sure we start well with a good crowd here.”
Former Waikato Chiefs prop Toby Smith is among a string of recruits the Rebels will rely on to lay the foundation for breakthrough victory against the Cheetahs.
Backrowers Sean McMahon and Colby Fainga’a, hooker Steve Fualau, prop Max Lahiff and backs Luke Burgess, Tamati Ellison, Ben Meehan and Tom Kingston are among the newcomers expected to impact.
The Cheetahs reached the semi-finals last season, bowing out against the Brumbies.
The Bloemfontein club last week atoned for first-round failure against the Lions by upstaging the Bulls.
“The Cheetahs are a side that experienced finals last year, they’re a side on a rapid improve of the last few years,” McGahan said.
“They’ve got a huge counter-attack threat. They like to play with a lot of width, they like to play with a lot of unstructured plays.
“They’ve got some key players there - (Willie) Le Roux is the main danger at 15 - so we need to be really careful in regard to that.
“We need to be pretty controlled.”
The Rebels are yet to beat the Cheetahs in three attempts.
Melbourne chief executive Rob Clarke said the Rebels would unveil a “new match-day” experience, buoyed by strong ticket sales.
Likely Rebels side: Toby Smith, Pat Leafa, Laurie Weeks, Hugh Pyle, Luke Jones, Sean McMahon, Scott Fuglistaller, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, Bryce Hegarty, Tom English, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Lachlan Mitchell, Jason Woodward. Replacements - Max Lahiff, Steve Fualau, Paul Alo-Emile, Cadeyrn Neville, Colby Fainga’a, Ben Meehan, Tom Kingston, Angus Roberts.
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