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'When we're at our best we're going to be very hard to stop'
By Online Editors
Melbourne playmaker Quade Cooper says the Rebels don't need to change anything to make the Super Rugby finals and just need to believe in themselves.
The Rebels host the Chiefs at AAMI Park on Friday night wanting the win to secure their first-ever play-off berth.
Currently eighth, a loss with a bonus point in the final round clash could also see them possibly sneak in.
Cooper, who won the Super Rugby title with Queensland in 2011, said the Rebels didn't need to add anything to their game for the crunch encounter.
He said they just needed to bring their best rugby.
“For all the players to be able to be in the position that we're in now, we've played some great football,” Cooper said.
“There's been some times where we haven't played the best football but we've put ourselves in a position to hold our destiny in our own hands.
“That's what I've been saying to the boys - just continue to believe in yourself, believe in the team and what we're doing and we'll come out and get the right result.”
One area he conceded required attention was their defence after a rampant Crusaders outfit posted 66 points in a humiliating defeat last round.
The Chiefs have plenty of potency in that department, upsetting the Crusaders in their recent clash in Fiji.
“Every team has to tighten up their defence going into playoffs and the Chiefs are a great attacking team but so are we,” Cooper said.
“I think for me it's not so much focusing on slowing them down, it's just us being our best and when we're at our best we're going to be very hard to stop."
Cooper only played the final 10 minutes of the Crusaders loss while his halves partner, Test halfback Will Genia, sat out under the Wallabies rest policy.
Both players could be playing their last games in the Rebels strip, although they indicated they would like to re-sign if a deal could be done.
Cooper said he didn't want to think about contract negotiations.
"I've loved my time here in Melbourne but I just want to focus on beating the Chiefs."
The Waikato side have made three changes with hooker Nathan Harris returning from All Blacks leave, co-captain Brodie Retallick back at lock and Angus Ta’avao the new tighthead prop.
They can also potentially make the top eight finals with a win.
- AAP
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Latest Comments
There is a major story unfolding around Gleeson's bar in Booterstown, South Dublin City last night. Beaudy Barrett, DMac and Cody Taylor were there. DMac was supposed to be on the Guinness 0.0 but lets just say it didn't turn out that way.
Hours later, Dmac out cold, head on the table with a long stallagtite of flem and spittle rising and falling with his breathing. There is a video apparently.
The barman barred a staggering Taylor from any more Guinness but Taylor kept pushing past him, pulled a seat up to the Guinness tap and personally pulled himself pints, claiming it was 'celebrity pint pulls mate'.
One of these celebrity pint pulls made a local paper but it's only a matter of time before the real context comes out. Dmac is out of the team for Friday due to breaking 'internal standards', Sititi starting at 10.
Go to commentsNow that made me laugh bull!
I tell you what though, the head knock from Kriel on Hugh jones in the wc that didn’t result in any card was a real mystery with the way things are now.
Also suspect the Boks will be pretty well motivated by glasgows antics in stellenbosch last week and loftus in June…
Should be a cracker hopefully!
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