Super Rugby
Rebels eyeing international win
April 2, 2014
The Rebels have set their sights on a third win for the season © Getty Images
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The Melbourne Rebels have set their sights on an elusive overseas Super Rugby win when they take on the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night. After knocking off the Australian table-topping Brumbies last round at AAMI Park the Rebels want to claim their first scalp on international soil.

Last season they came desperately close, losing twice in New Zealand by four points. In 2012 they had two losses in South Africa by five points.

"It's a real shame that we've never been able to win out of Australia," said flanker Scott Fuglistaller. "This year we've put in policies about the training week and the load to try and get the best out of our players in a different country with the travel."

The Forsyth Barr Stadium match is somewhat of a home-coming for Kiwi Fuglistaller. While originally from Taranki, he made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders, playing two games late in 2012, which helped him set up his Melbourne deal the following season.

The 26-year-old has been one of the Rebels' most consistent performers and will be key against the Highlanders where the breakdown will be fierce. The home side will be stinging from the 30-12 loss to the Blues.

Fuglistaller said while the win over the Brumbies had given his team a boost, it didn't tell them much about what they could expect from themselves against the Highlanders.

"Our first game we played well and then we were awful and then last weekend we played well so it's about trying to find that consistency. I guess it tells us that we have a blueprint that works against the best teams so it's about having the mental aptitude to put it place into each week. It's more of a challenge within ourselves than the opposition."

Fuglistaller has been battling a stomach virus since last Friday but said he would be fit to play.

© AAP

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