The Melbourne Rebels hope the Waratahs are still stewing on their heart-breaking last-ditch loss to Queensland ahead of their Super Rugby clash on Friday night.

After a first round bye Melbourne play their first Super Rugby match of 2012 when they host at AAMI Park, with the Waratahs coming off a 25-21 loss to champions Queensland, who won the game with a try after fulltime.

Former New South Welshman Mark Gerrard, who is set to replace injured Wallaby Kurtley Beale at fullback, said he hoped the Waratahs were still feeling the pain.

“They might be a bit shell-shocked at what happened,” he said.

“Hopefully they’re grieving on it and hopefully we can bite them again and see how we go.

“We have no friends once we’re on the field.”

Gerrard said Beale’s hamstring would be given another day before a final decision on his availability.

However he was preparing to play at 15 in Beale’s likely absence and looked sharp at training.

After finishing a distant last on the Super Rugby ladder in their inaugural season in 2011 the Rebels are looking for a fast start this year.

In their corresponding match last year NSW thrashed the newcomers 43-0.

“We’ve been targeting the start of the season to start well and we need to,” Gerrard said.

He said the blossoming combination between five-eighth Danny Cipriani and inside centre recruit James O’Connor was vital to their chances.

“The boys have been playing some good footy together so I think that combination’s going to be a key to how we play.

“Considering they’re both international players, I think they’ll be OK if NSW do target them.”

Another former NSW player, Adam Freier, is set for a long-awaited start at hooker after Ged Robinson was ruled out with a calf injury.

“Adam’s been injured for a while and he’s very keen and anxious to get out there,” Gerrard said.

“Old Hasselhoff as we call him, he’s super-determined in his red speedos and he’s been going very, very well.”