Beating the NSW Waratahs is a stand-out moment in the Melbourne Rebels’ short Super Rugby history.

And it’s a feeling they’re desperate to repeat when the teams clash at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

Both skipper Scott Higginbotham and winger Lachlan Mitchell, who will become the first player to make 50 appearances for the Rebels, said their first ever win over NSW last season had made an impact.

“It’s a game we’re really proud of and we want that feeling again,” Higginbotham said.

“That was a significant win for the club and we’re going there to keep that Weary Dunlop Shield.”

Mitchell said it was a highlight of his four seasons with Melbourne.

“That’s one of my biggest games, to beat the Waratahs. It’s great to rub it in.”

The 26-year-old isn’t under any illusions that another win will come easily and said the NSW line-up was even stronger than when they got the two-point victory in round 15 last year.

“You have to be prepared because you’re basically just playing the Wallabies,” he said.

“You have to be switched on because they don’t really have any weaknesses.”

Both teams are coming off close losses where they were left ruing missed opportunities.

While the Rebels say they aren’t borrowing the blueprint from the Brumbies on how to beat the Waratahs, their basic game plan is also about line-speed and slowing down the breakdown.

“It’s about shutting it down before they can get on the front foot,” Higginbotham said.

“Defence is going to be very important because when they get front-foot ball they can put guys like Peter Betham and Israel Folau through the holes.”

Higginbotham paid tribute to Mitchell, who plays well beyond his diminutive size.

“He goes head-first into tackles and is one of the toughest blokes I know.”

The Rebels made two forced changes to the run-on side with fullback Jason Woodward (knee) and prop Laurie Weeks (concussion) sidelined.

Angus Roberts and Paul Alo-Emile are their respective replacements while two Japanese internationals, hooker Shota Horie and centre Male Sa’u, have been included in the squad for the first time.

Rebels: Angus Roberts, Lachlan Mitchell, Tamati Ellison, Mitch Inman, Tom English, Bryce Hegarty, Luke Burgess, Scott Higginbotham (capt), Scott Fuglistaller, Sean McMahon, Luke Jones, Hugh Pyle, Paul Alo-Emile, Pat Leafa, Toby Smith. Res: Shota Horie, Max Lahiff, Cruze Ah-Nau, Cadeyrn Neville, Colby Fainga’a, Ben Meehan, Male Sa’u.