Improved Super Rugby performers Melbourne say they can’t afford to take the Western Force lightly when the teams meet on Sunday in Perth.
Confidence is high in the Rebels camp after their historic upset win last round over the Crusaders, while the Force are on a five-game losing streak.
Melbourne coach Damien Hill said the Force had some world class players and his team couldn’t ease up.
“They’ve beaten the Reds and the Waratahs this year and that’s two things that we’re yet to achieve,” Hill said.
“We can’t afford to take any team lightly at all; we need to approach it at the same intensity as we have in the last couple of weeks.”
Melbourne have ever only won once away from home, with that victory coming in Perth last season.
Only five points separates the two teams over their three meetings, with the Rebels ahead 2-1.
“The challenge this week is to transfer our form on the road,” Hill said.
“The good thing we’ve seen at training this week is that there’s been no complacency.
“They know that we’ve achieved what we have in the last couple of weeks based a lot on hard work and sticking to what we know and that’s not going to change whether we’re at home or away.”
Exciting back Richard Kingi will miss out again with his hamstring injury proving slow to heal, however back-rower Tom Chamberlain has finally been given the all clear to resume playing after suffering a head knock back in late March.
He will play club rugby in Melbourne.
Lock Cadeyrn Neville will get another start with Luke Jones still suspended with Hill saying the 23-year-old, playing only his second full season of rugby, had a huge future.
“He’s over two metres and 120kg and is one of the fastest guys in the squad and he’s got a rowing background so he’s got this enormous aerobic capacity,” said Hill.
“We knew he had all of those physical elements it was just whether he could apply the skills in a game pressure situation.
“He’s stepped up each game and we’ve been extremely happy with the way he’s taken the opportunity.”