The steep learning curve may have hit a speed bump last week but rookie Melbourne Rebels coach Damien Hill feels his men are on track for an improved performance in their second Super Rugby trial game.

The Rebels take on the Blues at AAMI Park on Saturday night, looking to rebound from a 36-0 demolition job by the Chiefs in their opening trial.

With 12 current or former All Blacks in the Blues squad, the job doesn’t get any easier.

All Black fullback Isaia Toeava and lock Ali Williams will have their first run of the year while Test halfback Piri Weepu will start at No.10 after shifting from the Hurricanes.

Hill said they needed tough opponents with NSW and Super champions the Reds in their first two competition matches.

“This game against the Blues will show up a few things as well, they’re a quality team and that’s what we need.

“We’ve then got another hard one against the Crusaders because our first two games are against the Waratahs and the Reds so we need to get ourselves physically prepared.”

Hill took over as head coach for the 2012 season from World Cup-winning Rod Macqueen and said he was quickly learning on the job.

“I’m learning session by session; I don’t think anyone in this organisation not learning.

“I learnt a few good things out of our first trial; they took it to heart and the way they’ve bounced back has been really promising.”

The Rebels will again be without their skipper Stirling Mortlock who is still troubled by knee soreness, while flanker Jarrod Saffy is sidelined with strained medial ligaments.

Hill said it wasn’t a concern Mortlock would miss the opening two trials.

“This is his 15th year in Super Rugby so missing out on trials is not an issue.

“It gives us a chance to try out some new leadership in the group.”

The Rebels will field two very different line-ups in each half against the Blues, with only five-eighth Danny Cipriani, and wingers Cooper Vuna and Mark Gerrard down to play a full game.

Force recruit Mitch Inman will start at outside centre in his first match for the Rebels.

Hill said he wanted to see their hard toil on the training paddock transfer to a game.

“Trials serve a purpose but nobody likes losing whether it’s a trial match or not.

“Everyone’s keen to see the hard work we’ve put into pre-season pay off on the field and hopefully it will happen this weekend.”