The Melbourne Rebels are looking to quickly rebound from their heart-breaking loss to the Cheetahs with their Super Rugby game against the Western Force looming on Friday night.

But if they had their way, they’d be playing even before then.

“I wish it was tomorrow, and if you ask the boys they wouldn’t mind playing a game now,” said Melbourne skipper Gareth Delve with his side still winless after three games.

“That’s the positive, the boys can’t wait to get out there.

“It’s nice not to leave it hanging on, to dwell on that.

“We’ll freshen up this week and get our heads up.”

The short turnaround means Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale (calf) and centres Stirling Mortlock (calf) and Mitch Inman (hamstring) are considered long-shots to take on the Force, who are on a high after their 21-20 win over NSW.

While James O’Connor had a busy game in his first start at No.10, coach Damien Hill wasn’t sure if he would remain there or shift back to inside centre with Danny Cipriani recalled to the starting line-up.

“I thought he did a fair job first up but I thought it did make a difference when Danny came on, to have two ball-players,” Hill said.

The Cheetahs scored after the final siren at AAMI Park to break a 26-26 deadlock, giving them a seven-point victory.

Rebels centre Mark Gerrard said his side was devastated to get so close.

“Shattered, gutted, disappointed in every way,” he said.

“We let it get away in the first 40 minutes because we didn’t stick to our game plan.

“And for them to score right at the end was pretty much a dagger in our hearts.”

Gerrard said a local derby match against the Force meant Melbourne had to regroup immediately.

“I hope they’ve got a hangover effect (after their win),” he said.

“We just have to go out there in a positive frame of mind and back ourselves, when we did that we were a far better football side.”