Falling Rebels have cause for win over Chiefs

After putting themselves on the verge of playing Super Rugby finals for the first time, three losses in the past four games has suddenly put the Melbourne Rebels on thin ice.

Now seven points behind the Australian conferenceleading Waratahs, and six behind the Brumbies, the equation doesn’t get any easier for the Rebels who face the Chiefs in Hamilton tonight.

Not only are the Chiefs coming off a bye, they are still smarting from a last-start loss to the Highlanders that saw them overtaken at the top of the New Zealand conference by the Crusaders (although only on points differential).

While he must have been tempted to wield the axe after that loss, Chiefs coach Dave Rennie elected to make just one change, bringing in Nathan Harris at hooker to replace Hika Elliott in the run-on side.

The Rebels have made three changes to the team that was beaten 30-22 by the Brumbies last weekend, with Tom English (left), Mitch Inman and Sam Jeffries recalled to the starting 15 and Culum Retallick, Jonah Placid and Siliva Siliva named on the reserves bench.

While the Rebels focus on getting back into the finals race, playing well enough to get into the Wallabies squad for the coming series against England is probably the best that players from the Queensland Reds and Western Force can hope for.

The Wallabies go into camp on the Sunshine Coast on May 30, with the first Test against England scheduled for Brisbane on June 11.

And with the Reds having a bye next weekend, tonight’s home game against the Sunwolves is the last chance for players to impress national coach Michael Cheika.

The match will be the first in Australia for the Sunwolves, who have been highly competitive since being thrashed 92-17 by the Cheetahs in round eight.

The Force is at home tonight against the Blues who are coming off a 43-5 loss to the Lions in Johannesburg.