Rebels out to make amends against Force

Among Melbourne Rebels’ Super Rugby losses, their heavy defeat at the hands of the Western Force is the one that really jars.

The Rebels went into their second match riding high but came home from Perth with their tails between their legs after a 32-7 defeat on the back of their worst performance of the season.

Ahead of their Good Friday night re-match at AAMI Park, Melbourne skipper Scott Higginbotham said they wanted to make amends and put to an end the Force’s five-game winning run.

“It was very disappointing, especially coming off a great win to go into such an embarrassing loss,” he said.

“It does bug you.”

The Rebels’ chances of victory have been bolstered by a series of injury blows at the Force.

Winger Luke Morahan (hamstring), scrumhalf Alby Mathewson (ankle) and lock Sam Wykes (lock) are the latest to be ruled out, joining Hugh McMeniman (collarbone), Chris Alcock (shoulder), Solomoni Rasolea (arm) and Jayden Hayward (personal reasons) on the sidelines.

Winger Patrick Dellit, lock Adam Coleman and scrumhalf Ian Prior have been called into the starting line-up, with injury-hit scrumhalf Justin Turner named on the bench in what could be his first Super appearance since 2012.

Lock Cadeyrn Neville is the only change to the Rebels starting line-up, replacing Hugh Pyle.

“Hugh’s been fantastic for us, but he’s had a big workload and is carrying a few niggles so it will be great for him to get a little rest and come off the bench this week,” Rebels coach Tony McGahan said.

Flanker Scott Fuglistaller has recovered from a shoulder knock to take his place in the starting side.

The Rebels are aiming to raise $50,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal at the game.

Rebels: Jason Woodward, Male Sau, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Tom English, Bryce Hegarty, Nic Stirzaker, Scott Higginbotham (c), Scott Fuglistaller, Colby Fainga’a, Luke Jones, Cadeyrn Neville, Laurie Weeks, Shota Horie, Toby Smith. Reserves: Pat Leafa, Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emilie, Hugh Pyle, Sean McMahon, Luke Burgess, Tom Kingston, Angus Roberts.

Force: Dane Haylett-Petty, Patrick Dellit, Marcel Brache, Kyle Godwin, Nick Cummins, Sias Ebersohn, Ian Prior, Ben McCalman, Matt Hodgson (capt), Angus Cottrell, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Adam Coleman, Kieran Longbottom, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan. Res: Heath Tessmann, Tetera Faulkner, Ollie Hoskins, Phoenix Battye, Brynard Stander, Justin Turner, Zack Holmes, Chris Tuatara-Morrison.