Rebels eye combative Lions' scalp
Rebels coach Tony McGahan is confident his charges can secure a historic first win on foreign soil during their 'African safari'.
Clashes against the Lions in Johannesburg this Friday and the Bulls in Pretoria the following week, will bring the curtain down on the Rebels' season.
McGahan, who didn't bother to hide his disappointment over the defeat at the hands of the Reds last Friday, said it was important to move on and focus on the Lions in Johannesburg this week.
"They've been very competitive and combative this year, especially at home, so we're expecting them to be at their best," McGahan said ahead of the team's departure from Melbourne on Tuesday.
"And that's what you need to do in this competition. If you look at some of the other results this past weekend, if you're not [at your best] there's certainly a score there be to put on you.
"The Lions have a really good maul and a great kicking game. They've got a lot of control with their halfbacks and a big dynamic forward pack.
"They also like to have a bit of a go on the counter, so they've got a little bit of everything in their game and we really need to make sure we are there mentally for the contest."
McGahan believed travelling together was a great opportunity for his young side to bond, and to continue to gain a sense of togetherness.
"The opportunity has presented itself to be away together all the time, travelling and being together in a really tight sort of environment," he said.
"And while we didn't quite get any wins in New Zealand in that two week tour we were really able to spend some quality time together and were able to transfer that into some really competitive results."
McGahan said there will be some changes to the side which failed to fire against the Reds.
"Tactics wise, we will have to wait and see," the Rebels mentor said, adding: "We really haven't run anything in the last three games to form tactics, we've been dominated on possession, so it's a real key for us to hang onto the ball and to be able to execute or even implement anything.
"Once we have the ball we're confident in getting it.
"Certainly our own structures stuff looks good, and we scored some good tries on the weekend on the back of some really enterprising play."
McGahan named a 25-man squad for the trip to South Africa.
The Rebels have never won in South Africa, coming agonisingly close in bonus-point defeats to the Lions and Stormers in 2012, and are determined to finish the season on a high following three consecutive disappointing defeats.
Rebels squad: Cruze Ah- Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Burgess, Jack Debreczeni, Tamati Ellison, Tom English, Colby Fainga'a, Lalakai Foketi, Scott Fuglistaller, Bryce Hegarty, Scott Higginbotham (captain), Shota Horie, Mitch Inman, Luke Jones, Tom Kingston, Pat Leafa, Ben Meehan, Cadeyrn Neville, Hugh Pyle, Jordy Reid, Toby Smith, Nic Stirzaker, Telusa Veainu, Laurie Weeks, Jason Woodward.
