'Was a good learning experience': Rebels ready for fierce challenge against Drua

Fullback Joe Pincus says the Melbourne Rebels’ hit and run mission to Fiji in the Super Rugby Pacific pre-season has them well-prepared to take on the Drua in Suva on Saturday.

The heavyweight Crusaders proved how tough it is to beat the Fijians on their home turf, shock losers in their round-three clash.

But Pincus says the Rebels’ pre-season game, which they lost 24-0, provided some valuable insight into how to prepare and play in the tropical conditions and in front of the raucous crowd expected at HFC Bank Stadium.

The Rebels are coming off an impressive win over the Queensland Reds, with Wallabies utility back Andrew Kellaway a chance to play his first match of the year after battling a foot injury.

“(The pre-season game) wasn’t a good experience at the time but it was a good learning experience about accepting the hard conditions and not letting it affect our game plan and our attitude,” said Pincus, who was part of Australia’s men’s sevens team at the Tokyo Olympics.

“That’s definitely going to be in play this weekend; we know it’s going to be warm and humid but that’s something we can acknowledge now and bring into our game model and hopefully play to our best.”

A strong performer this season after an interrupted 2023 with hip/groin injuries, Pincus is expected to hold down the No.15 jersey despite Kellaway’s return.

The 26-year-old said he was relishing some consistent game time as he tried to make an impact in the 15-man game.

“That’s obviously something that I’ve lacked a little bit as I’ve been at the Rebels for a year now and have had to deal with some injuries so it’s been nice to be on the field for some good minutes,” the Queensland-born speedster said.

“At fullback I definitely feel comfortable there … but 15 is a jersey number that Kells (Kellaway) will be looking at and he’s played there very well for the Wallabies so it might be something that I’m going to have to deal with in the coming weeks.

“It’s also going to be a great opportunity for me to watch and learn from him because he’s obviously a very talented player.”

Pincus’ Olympic campaign in Tokyo was ended by Fiji, with Drua flanker Meli Derenalagi also crossing over from sevens.

He admitted Paris in 2024 had sparked his interest but his focus was on the Rebels for now.

“I came to 15s to give it a really good crack and didn’t get the opportunity last year due to my injury so at the moment my focus is on getting some good game time with the Rebels.”