Super Rugby
Rebels lack belief, Higginbotham says
March 5, 2013
The Rebels' Scott Higginbotham runs in to score a try against the Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels v Brumbies, Super Rugby AAMI Park, Melbourne, February 22, 2013
Scott Higginbotham says 'the last two rounds we've really dropped off in the second half' © Getty Images
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Melbourne Rebels must develop their self-belief, Scott Higginbotham says.

The backrower has provided Rebels team-mates with little inside knowledge of his former team, Queensland, other than to say the Reds possess self-belief. And he believes the Rebels' lack of self-belief has been a contributing factor in their past two losses - both suffered after holding a half-time lead.

"The year we won, I think we lost three games and each loss was [an] absolute blow to the mind and body because we just didn't think we could lose," Higginbotham said of the Reds' title-winning campaign in 2011.

"That's the mindset that we have to get around here. I think that's the big thing for this team: to know that we can win these games; the boys need to realise that."

Higginbotham is expecting niggle from his former teammates at AAMI Park on Friday night, but he has shown improved discipline after his yellow card in round one for throwing a punch in the match against Western Force.

He doesn't feel he has anything to prove after switching his allegiance to Melbourne, saying he is focused only on helping the Rebels get their season back on track.

The Rebels have earmarked the match as a must-win, despite the loss of injured star playmaker Kurtley Beale.

The Rebels failed to withstand the Waratahs in the second half
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"The last two rounds we've really dropped off in the second half and lost the game because of that," Higginbotham said. "If you look at the way we played in the first half against NSW, we were 10 points up. If we play every game like we played that half, we'll win every other game we play."'

© AAP

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