Rod Macqueen has demanded more aggression from his forwards ahead of Melbourne Rebels' clash with Super Rugby leaders Sharks on Friday.
Australian coach urges for improvement against league leaders
Rod Macqueen has demanded more aggression from his forwards ahead of Melbourne Rebels' clash with Super Rugby leaders Sharks on Friday.
The stuttering newcomers prepare for what stands to be their most bruising test of the season against competition the pace-setters in Melbourne.
But the Rebels coach is looking forward to a tough game against the Durban-based Sharks, who dismantled Western Force on Saturday for their third straight win.
"They're probably one of the more feared teams in Super Rugby, I've personally got a lot of time for them," said Macqueen.
"And certainly they're a great benchmark for as a team that's going to pressure us as far as the basics are concerned."
Crucial
Having clinched a last-gasp one-point victory over the ACT Brumbies in Melbourne in round two, the Rebels were brought back to earth by the Waikato Chiefs on Saturday as their set-pieces crumbled en route to a resounding 28-point defeat.
And former World Cup winning coach Macqueen admits it is imperative the Rebels match Sharks' physicality at AAMI Park.
"(The Sharks) would probably be number one as far as aggression is concerned so we're going to see a very physical game, we've got to try and match them, that's got to be our role out there," said the former Wallaby boss.
"I think we've got a big enough pack, they've been doing a lot of strength work over the time. I really don't think we've been outmuscled as such, it's got more to do with our understanding of the set pieces.
"Probably the scrum's been more technique than weight... We've had some very good scrums but we've also let ourselves down at crucial times."
