Rebels to continue fighting for play-off place

The Rebels nearly pinched a maiden victory in Auckland on Saturday after the visitors produced a second-half comeback against the Blues, but basic errors proved decisive.

"They're harsh lessons," McGahan told melbournerebels.com.

"If you want to be at the top end, which we're striving to get there, we need to make sure we eliminate those [mistakes].

"We've got some play left in us, we'll fight and keep going because at the end of the day you need to be doing the right thing more often than not."

It could hardly be closer at the top of the Australian Conference, with the Rebels leading the way after ten rounds. The Brumbies and the Waratahs are hot on their heels, just two points behind.

As the Rebels head into a bye week, the focus is on regrouping and refreshing ahead of an important fixture against the Brumbies at AAMI Park on Friday May 15.

"It will be a big week for us to make sure that we recover and get some preparation done and make sure we're ready to go forward," McGahan said.

McGahan is hoping for some big name returns as the Rebels seek to entrench themselves at the top of the Australian Conference.

"It is probably one of our most important weeks to be honest.

"We've probably got about six or seven key guys coming back from injury, so we hope they have a good week and then we'll see how selection rolls out for the Brumbies."

With the players returning to training on Thursday, the team's first official session at the new home at AAMI Park, competition for places is likely to be as fierce as ever.

"We pride ourselves on delivering each and every week regardless of personnel, regardless of opposition," McGahan said.

@MelbourneRebels