The Rebels have named an unchanged starting line-up to face the Hurricanes at AAMI Park on Friday in a game that will pit strength against strength.

The Hurricanes rank in the top four in tries, line breaks, carries and metres gained while the Rebels defence has been key in close wins over the Reds and Waratahs and keeping the Sunwolves tryless in Tokyo.

Rebels head coach Tony McGahan praised his team’s defensive efforts this season and identified limiting the Hurricanes’ opportunities in open play as key to this weekend’s game.

“They love poor kicking, they love turnover ball, they love quick throw ins, they love quick taps, they want to play with a real tempo

“We need to understand and limit those entry points into the game for them whilst at the same time being able to play our own game.”

Rebels captain Nic Stirzaker said the Rebels will need to limit turnovers to avoid giving the Hurricanes attacking opportunities.

“We need to make sure we limit any loose ball that they attack off.

“It’s just being really aware all throughout the game and making sure with turnovers we’re ready to transition from attack to defence pretty smartly.”

Awareness throughout the game will be essential as the Rebels have struggled to put together full-game performances this season. McGahan spoke about how against the Reds and Waratahs the Rebels were able to get out to handy leads before letting their opposition back into the game in the second half.

“That’s something we’ve got to get better at, it’s a bit of composure, it’s a bit of execution and it’s being a bit tougher to work your way through sides that are playing well.

“The Hurricanes really hurt sides at the back end of games.

“In Wellington last year I think they scored three tries in the last ten minutes to give us a real touch-up. We competed really well but that’s the nature of the game, you can’t compete pretty well, you either get it done or you don’t, so we need to make sure that we finish it off.”

Both sides will be looking to keep touch with the competition leaders in the tight Australasian Group. The Rebels trail the Hurricanes by three points and sit just outside a wildcard finals spot.

“The games against New Zealand teams are like conference games now because those teams are competing with us for a finals spot.”

Rebels team to play Hurricanes:

Toby Smith, James Hanson, Laurie Weeks, Luke Jones, Lopeti Timani, Jordy Reid, Sean McMahon, Adam Thomson, Nic Stirzaker, Jack Debreczeni, Cam Crawford, Mitch Inman, Tamati Ellison, Dom Shipperley, Reece Hodge. Reserves: Pat Leafa, Cruze Ah Nau, Jamie Hagan, Sam Jeffries, Scott Fuglistaller, Ben Meehan, Dan Hawkins, Sefa Naivalu.