Rebels out for revenge in mid-season teaser

The two sides will meet in an exhibition match during the June break.

The Rebels are keen to exact revenge after the Canes convincingly silenced them in Melbourne earlier in the season.

The game will see last year's beaten Super Rugby finalists return to Melbourne for the second time this season.

The exhibition match will be used as a warm-up for the two sides before the 2016 Super Rugby season returns to action in July – following the four-week international break.

The Rebels sit seven points behind the Australian conference leaders, the Brumbies and Waratahs, and need victories in their remaining matches to stay in contention.

With Sean McMahon, Toby Smith, James Hanson, Reece Hodge and Sefa Naivalu away on national duties with the Wallabies, along with Kotaro Matsushima on tour with Japan, the remaining Rebels resume training on Thursday next week.

The Hurricanes are third in the New Zealand conference, five points behind leaders, the Crusaders, and currently hold one of the three Super Rugby Finals wildcard positions on offer for the Australasian Conference.

"The fixture against the Hurricanes will provide the Rebels with a timely hit out against quality opposition," Melbourne Rebels General Manager Rugby Operations Baden Stephenson said.

"We need to ensure our players are physically and mentally prepared for the back end of the season after the break.

"Victorian grassroots and community Rugby provide the backbone of the Melbourne Rebels so we're pleased to bring another high quality fixture to the local community," he added.