Breakdown blues for Rebels

The Melbourne Rebels were left frustrated after a series of breakdown penalties saw them go down at home to the Hurricanes on Friday.

The visitors managed to pull away in the second half to secure a 25-15 victory after an even first half which saw both sides give little away.

Rebels centre Mitch Inman said that rather than a lack of discipline, the issue was understanding the interpretations of referee Matt O'Brien at the breakdowns.

"We didn't have a clear definition of what the ref was trying to ping us for at the breakdown because that's our strong point.

"We were trying to capitalise and force the turnovers in that area but it just wasn't going our way with a few of the calls at the maul and the breakdown," he told AAP.

Inman said that the Rebels pride themselves on their discipline and added that they were left confused by some of the calls.

"We only give out on average 10 or 11 penalties which is pretty good. I wouldn't say that's (discipline) the issue.

"We fight and we try to counter-ruck and really hit that breakdown and it just wasn't going our way with decisions and you can't blame that but we're a bit perplexed with what was going on in that area," he said.

Coach Tony McGahan said he had previously sought clarification from SANZAR about the breakdown but had been frustrated by lack of feedback.

Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith said he thought O'Brien was fairly even-handed, with the penalty count finishing at 12-11, and that the Rebels did push the boundaries with their aggression at the breakdown.