The Melbourne Rebels are looking to take the lessons from last week’s defeat into Friday night’s clash against the Cheetahs at AAMI Park.

Rebels head coach Tony McGahan said losses to the Highlanders and Hurricanes have shown his team where they need to improve to compete at the top end of the competition.

“We need to make sure we get better in our execution and tactically with what we want to do if we want to go forward, and this weekend gives us a great opportunity.

“The Cheetahs like to play with a bit of width. They back themselves on their passing, they like to play from deep, they’re not really looking for the kick option as their first option, so that’ll pose a really good threat.

“The learning we got last week with a side that likes to play with good width and keep the ball in hand will lend itself to how we’re able to get through the game.”

Failure to effectively exit their own territory cost the Rebels against the Hurricanes and captain Nic Stirzaker said improving in that area has been a focus this week at training.

“This week we’ve tried to bring a bit more structure into our exits. We tried to run a bit from our own half last week and we looked at reasons why that did or didn’t work.

“We’re trying to improve our structure around that so everyone knows the roles and knows their jobs and we can have a bit more accountability.”

Strizaker said he expects the Cheetahs will be full of confidence after last week’s 92-17 thrashing of the Sunwolves in Bloemfontein.

“It shows how dangerous they can be and some things that you don’t want to give them, which is loose, attacking ball.

“They’re a side that can easily put a lot of points on the board and they like to play a pretty flamboyant style, so we’ll be expecting a bit of that.”

The Rebels have included five new players in their match-day 23 to face the Cheetah’s. The big inclusions are Colby Fainga’a returning from an elbow injury suffered against the Force and Jonah Placid making his first appearance since round five starting at fullback.

Reece Hodge, the Rebels’ “fix-it man” according to McGahan, makes his first ever start at centre forcing another backline reshuffle for the Rebels after the loss of Dom Shipperley to a season-ending knee injury.

McGahan acknowledged things have not been easy for Hodge as he has been forced to fit into a Rebels backline decimated by injuries this season.

“We feel Reece has the ability to cover a few positions. Unfortunately for him coming into the team this year he’s been used across a number of positions and has been unable to really concentrate on one position.

Stirzaker said the hard-running Hodge will fit right in at centre and will benefit from having experienced players around him.

“He’s probably a more natural centre, to be honest; he’s a big, ball-carrying guy and a great tackler. You make a lot more tackles and you get a lot more ball carries in the centres.

“Working outside Jack Debreczeni and Tamati Ellison he has a bit less responsibility in terms of game management which will help him just focus on his game.”

Rebels team to play Cheetahs:

Toby Smith, James Hanson, Laurie Weeks, Luke Jones, Lopeti Timani, Jordy Reid, Sean McMahon, Adam Thomson, Nic Stirzaker, Jack Debreczeni, Sefa Naivalu, Tamati Ellison, Reece Hodge, Cam Crawford, Jonah Placid. Reserves: Pat Leafa, Cruze Ah Nau, Jamie Hagan, Sam Jeffries, Colby Fainga’a, Ben Meehan, Kotaro Matsushima, Sione Tuipulotu