Rugby: Rebels vow to spoil 'fun'

Impressive fullback Jesse Mogg switches to the wing to make room for Robbie Coleman. Photo / Themba Hadebe

The Melbourne Rebels are determined they won't be letting the Brumbies have as much as fun as they did when the teams last met in Super rugby a little over a month ago.

The conference-topping Brumbies meet the Rebels again tonight at AAMI Park, six weeks after thrashing them 37-6 in Canberra, but with several changes to the team which was left tryless when edged out 13-12 by Queensland last Saturday.

Impressive fullback Jesse Mogg switches to the wing to make room for Robbie Coleman, forcing Henry Speight to the bench.

Dan Palmer is rested as fellow Wallabies train-on squad prop Ben Alexander switches to the other side of the scrum and Ruaidhri Murphy is promoted at loosehead. Coach Jake White has also rested flanker Ita Vaea and Sam Carter.

Big No8 Fotu Auelua returns on the bench along with flanker Colby Faingaa who should get his first Super rugby action since injuring an ankle in a pre-season trial.

The Rebels don't have the luxury of resting players, with injuries testing their depth.

Utility James Hilgendorf takes over from Wallaby Kurtley Beale at five-eighth, while flanker Hugh Perrett will make his run-on debut after being called up from Sydney club rugby last month.

After crashing back to earth with a 66-24 hammering by the Hurricanes last week following two good wins, coach Damian Hill says the players are resolved to take it up to the Brumbies.

"They had a bit of fun with us last time we played them so the guys are all up and really focused on being a lot more competitive this week," Hill said.

Stirling Mortlock has been promoted from the bench to replace the injured Lachlan Mitchell at inside centre.

- AAP