McGahan lauds Rebels' resilience
Against the odds, the Rebels showed their character to overcome the Force despite the distraction of a starting line-up reshuffle just before kick-off, early injuries and stifling conditions.
With captain Nic Stirzaker ruled out during the week, the Rebels were forced to restructure the starting line-up again just before kick-off, with Jack Debreczeni withdrawn from the game with a virus.
Debutant Reece Hodge, who scored two tries in his maiden Super Rugby appearance, shifted from the wing to fullback while Mike Harris moved into flyhalf and reserve Tom English to the wing.
"We've worked really hard to build depth at the Rebels," McGahan said after the game.
"I knew Mike would come in and do a really good job and Reece Hodge has trained well all pre-season and Tom English came in.
"We're really lucky with the closeness of the group and how they play for each other that whoever came in would do a really good job."
In soaring temperatures, Harris lasted 20 minutes before succumbing to a quad injury sustained in the warm up – again forcing changes.
With three influential play makers in Stirzaker, Debrczeni and Harris ruled out before and early in the match, McGahan acknowledged Ben Meehan's role in the win.
"I thought Ben was terrific, he's only had a couple starts and a few games off the bench over the last couple of years with Luke Burgess there," McGahan said.
"The maturity in Ben's game and the way he controlled things took a lot of pressure off the backs was terrific.
"It speaks volumes of the group itself."
McGahan said the six-point victory against a physical opposition in trying conditions provided a good audition for next weekend's game in Pretoria against the Bulls.
"It's imperative [to win] at any point in time, you want to get a result anywhere," McGahan said.
"For us to get the win really gives us belief and we'll get a lot out of tonight.
"We got through a lot of hard work, the Force really tested us in defence.
"We got an outstanding look into what we'll face next week against the Bulls."
@MelbourneRebels
