Wallaby James O’Connor insisted he would be ready for Melbourne’s Super Rugby season opener on Friday night despite copping a mouthful of stitches in the two-point loss to the Hurricanes in the trial match in Geelong.

The Hurricanes overcame a sluggish start to win an entertaining encounter 47-45 on Saturday, with both sides scoring seven tries.

The Rebels opened the scoring within four minutes with a try to centre Rory Sidey.

Running with the aid of the breeze, the home team had extended their lead to 19-0 within 14 minutes following further tries to new skipper Gareth Delve and hooker Ged Robinson.

Lock James Broadhurst put the Hurricanes on the board with his team’s first try in the 22nd minute and the visitors shaded the remainder of the opening half to only trail 33-28 at the break.

O’Connor did not reappear for the second half after being sent to the bloodbin with a cut which required 18 stitches to his mouth and lower lip, although there was no suggestion of foul play.

His replacement at fullback, Richard Kingi, scored the Rebels’ seventh and last try of the match.

But it was the 66th-minute five-pointer by Hurricanes halfback Chris Smylie which proved decisive in a match where both sides looked much better with ball in hand than when they were defending.

Delve and Robinson ended the match with two tries apiece for the Rebels while Matt Proctor and Ardie Savea scored doubles for the visitors.

The Rebels open the Super Rugby season on Friday night at home to the Western Force at AAMI Park.

The Hurricanes’ first game is against the Blues in Wellington on February 23.