Yes, that’s right. Rugby returns to the Stockade on a Saturday night. This is the toughest game we have left for the season and with only one win in Melbourne this season the Rebels faithful will be looking to take down there biggest scalp of the year. After all the last time the Kiwi’s came to Melbourne on a Saturday night we all remember what happened.
The Rebels coming off a heart breaking loss to the Waratahs on Anzac day at ANZ Stadium, in a courageous performance. In horrible conditions the Rebels rallied back against a Wallabies packed Waratahs side to eventually go down by 2 points. The slow start hurt the Rebels so they will be looking to come out firing from the kickoff.
The visitors will be disappointing with their win against the Western Force where they failed to take full advantage of a man advantage for a long period of the game. I’d expect to see a more composed Chiefs side this week that will be looking to make up for a poor performance a week ago.
The Sides
Luke Jones returns to the Rebels starting line-up after a week on the side lines with concussion, he was deeply missed last weekend for his massive work rate and impact at the break down. Expect him to be everywhere on Saturday, hitting every rucks possible. Jordy Reid also replaces Scott Fugistaller who has been left out of the 23 all together, Jordy has been impressive off the bench the last few games and had a massive impact against the Tahs last week, the Rebels faithful will be hoping he has the same Impact from the word go on Saturday night.
Tom English returns to the 23 with the Rebels opting for a 5-3 split on the bench this week.
The Chiefs have rung the changes from last weekend, another injury to one of the Chiefs big names in Retallick should have the Rebels looking for another big scalp in 2015.
The Chiefs are the only team from New Zealand that the Rebels have not experienced Victory against losing by 6 points in the last two attempts. This is a record that the Rebels will be looking to break this Saturday at the stockade and go consecutive home wins.
Key Matchups
Debreczeni v Horrell
JD has been growing in confidence and kicked extremely well last week when Harris went off injured. Was good to see him take the ball to the line in the same fashion he was during the NRC in 2014. Jack seems to be finally finding his feet at this level and has improved dramatically the last couple of weeks.
Horrell has some big shoes to fill in the Chiefs line up after the loss of Cruden for the rest of the season. He will be replacing McKenzie who did not have the greatest game against the Force last week, with the Chiefs selecting the more experienced Horrell this weekend you should expect to see a bit more organisation across the back line.
McMahon v Messam
Messam returns from a week’s compulsory rest last week, the Chiefs will be grateful for his return after losing work horse Retallick. McMahon just keeps on improving, the Rebels and Australia biggest bolter in 2014 has a big task on his hands this weekend. I’d expect this to be one hell of a contest that will go along way in deciding the victor on the night.
Prediction
I think the Chiefs will get over the line in a tight match, Chiefs by 3
(Let’s all hope that this is the kiss of death)
Rebels v Chiefs
 |  | 
|
| Toby Smith | 1 | Pauliasi Manu |
| Pat Leafa | 2 | Hika Elliot |
| Paul Alo-Emile | 3 | Ben Tameifuna |
| Luke Jones | 4 | Matt Symons |
| Lopeti Timani | 5 | Michael Fitzgerald |
| Sean McMahon | 6 | Liam Messam © |
| Jordy Reid | 7 | Sam Cane |
| Scott Higginbotham | 8 | Michael Leitch |
| Nic Stirzaker | 9 | Brad Weber |
| Jack Debreczeni | 10 | Andrew Horrell |
| Sefanaia Naivalu | 11 | James Lowe |
| Mitch Inman | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams |
| Tamati Ellison | 13 | Charlie Ngatai |
| Dom Shipperley | 14 | Tim Nanai-Williams |
| Mike Harris | 15 | Tom Marshall |
| Reserves | Quentin MacDonald | |
| Tom Sexton | 16 | |
| Cruze Ah-Nau | 17 | Siate Tokolahi |
| Tim Metcher | 18 | Jamie Mackintosh |
| Cadeyrn Neville | 19 | Michael Allardice |
| Colby Fainga’a | 20 | Johan Bardoul |
| Luke Burgess | 21 | Augustine Pulu |
| Tom English | 22 | Damian McKenzie |
| Bryce Hegarty | 23 | Bryce Heem |
| Location: | AAMI Park, Melbourne | |
| Kickoff: | Sat 2 May 19:40 | |
| Referee: | Andrew Lees | |
| Assistant Ref 1: | Angus Gardner | |
| Assistant Ref 2: | James Leckie | |
| TMO : | Ian Smith |
