McGahan: Rebels are going to keep fighting

McGahan has backed his side to continue to challenge the best teams in the competition, as the Rebels prepare to take on the high-flying Chiefs on Saturday.

With five games remaining, the Rebels are determined to continue the fight despite sitting seven points behind the Australian Conference leaders, the Waratahs.

“There’s still plenty of rugby to play, whether it’s in our control or not we’ll just wait and see," said McGahan.

"We’re just going to keep fighting, keep playing well and keep going for it.

“We’re a tremendous group and we’ve come a long way, and to push the Brumbies with a pretty international pack and a couple of international backs (shows) we’re certainly on the right track.”

The Rebels face an exciting run-in to the end of the season, taking on the Force, Stormers, Crusaders and Reds following their trip to Hamilton on Saturday.

McGahan believes that the international break in June could work in favour of his side, with large sections of the squad likely to be rested over the period.

“We’ve got two games pre-June and then there’s a (Wallabies) Test series," he said.

"Some sides are going to have ten, eleven, twelve players in it. 

"We’ll probably have two or three.

“There lies another position where injuries can happen and things can change dramatically and then (there are) three games to go.”

The Waikato side has emerged as one of the leading title-contenders this season, fighting for top spot in the Australasian conference.

The Chiefs’ attack has been particularly potent, scoring more tries than any other team in the competition.

McGahan will be hoping that his side can bring the same defensive intensity that thwarted the Brumbies for large periods last week.

“We’ll tidy up a few little areas and dust ourselves off and keep going," he said.

“We’ll have a good week training and we’ll lay into (the Chiefs) and keep going forward."