'They haven't started well': Rebels detail plan to beat Highlanders
Looking to finish their inconsistent Super Rugby Pacific season on a high, Melbourne coach Kevin Foote says his team can take a lot from the Waratahs of 2022.
Winless last year, the Waratahs will head into next week's finals as one of the form teams while the Rebels are lamenting another finals miss.
Their four-loss horror start to the season proved too big a margin to peg back, leaving them outside the top eight.
The Rebels host the Highlanders in the final round at AAMI Park on Sunday and are looking to inflict the same damage as the Waratahs, who snared a rousing 32-20 win over the men from Dunedin last round.
"We've spoken about the Waratahs win and done our analysis," Foote said of the Highlanders.
"We know obviously that there's an opportunity for us to start well against them, as they haven't started well.
"We also know they're the number one kicking team in the competition so shoring up our back-field and looking for opportunities around that, we've definitely had a look at them."
Foote also wants to see his team play for each other, as the Waratahs have done this season to bank eight wins.
"I think the Waratahs are playing with an amazing spirit for each other at the moment and that's what stands out for me more than anything.
"And that's probably something that I really want to make sure we come out and do.
"It's a big work-on for us and that's keep living our values and the Waratahs are living up to their's and that's pulling them through in these big games."
While the Highlanders hold a seven to three win-loss record, the Rebels have won two of their last three clashes and beat them on their last trip to Melbourne in 2019.
"Even when we've played them in Dunedin we've had success so it's always a good game," Foote said.
"I think the two teams play a similar brand."
While Melbourne are out of the title race Foote hoped to see some of his players rewarded with Australia A selection, with the latter to play a three-game series in Fiji in July.
Halfback James Tuttle, who this week signed a two-year contract extension, is one in the mix.
"We're hoping we can get quite a few guys into Australia A so they get an opportunity and they can start to build confidence because obviously this year we haven't got the results that we wanted," Foote said.
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Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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