Foundation Rebel Meretiana Robinson says her side believes a maiden Super W win is possible when they face RugbyWA in Perth on Sunday.
Sunday's clash is the last match for 2020 for the Rebels, who have a bye in the final fixture round next weekend, and the last chance for them this year to notch a Super W victory in the competition's third season.
“It’s a long road coming, so obviously it would mean the world to me and the girls and everyone who’s supported us along the way as well," Robinson said of getting a win.
“To be able to show what we’ve been working so hard for has actually come to fruition, I know we can do it and I believe we can do it.
"It's just a matter of getting out there and getting what we deserve."
Robinson said the Rebels have viewed every game they have played as an opportunity to get their first win.
That's a glass-half-full view considering the lack of depth in the Melbourne program in the first two seasons of the competition.
But the Rebels have showed themselves to be a different outfit this season.
"I think we've really revolutionised ourselves this year, we're light years ahead of where we were last year," she said.
"Last year in all our games we got beaten by quite substantial amounts and we've closed that gap quite considerably, particularly in the first two games.
"It was unfortunate that we let the last game get away on us a bit but I don't think that game is a reflection of where we are and how far we've come."
That 104-3 loss to the Reds in Brisbane came with the side depleted through injury and up against a red-hot Queensland outfit hitting their straps ahead of their clash against the Waratahs this weekend.
Robinson said the team had learnt plenty from the loss but would not be scarred by it.
"We've got to take those things we did learn from that game and we've got to look forward to the next week, we can't dwell on what's happened," she said.
The Rebels come up against a motivated West Australian side, desperate to record their first win of the season after back to back losses to the Brumbies and the Reds.
“We’re expecting a tough match again," Robinson said.
“As we’ve seen with their last couple of games, they’ve got big ball carriers, so we’re expecting a confronting game because they’re going to be hard."
After missing last week through injury, Ashleigh Walker returns to inside centre, pushing Robinson back to flyhalf.
Jessica Rastrick has been named at wing, covering for Tyra Boysen- Auimatagi, with Indiana Lewis being brought in as a reserve.
Robinson's co-captain Mel Kawa is also buoyed by the prospect of creating club history in Perth.
“Certainly, anytime you have the opportunity to make and be part of history, it’s exciting and provides a little bit of extra motivation," Kawa said.
"We’ve been building all season and definitely feel our best rugby can compete with anyone, so I’m really excited to leave it all out on the field and see what the girls can produce on Sunday.
"Recording that first win would mean the world to the team, particularly the girls who have been a part of the program since its inception, so the group is really motivated to do well and just excited for the game.”
The Rebels take on RugbyWA in Perth on Sunday, March 8, kicking off at 6:30pm AEDT (3:30pm local), with the match streamed LIVE on RUGBY.com.au and Kayo.
TEAM
Rebels to play RugbyWA
1 Janita Kareta
2 Eirenei Nanai
3 Titilia Yabaki
4 Annika Jamieson
5 Nawel Remini
6 May Sa'aga
7 Melanie Kawa
8 Sally Kehoe
9 Georgia Cormick
10 Meretiana Robinson
11 Mikaela Welti
12 Ashleigh Walker
13 Nicola Emsley
14 Jessica Rastrick
15 Gabi Bryan
Reserves:
16 Lemamae Seu
17 Indiana Lewis
18 Faith Masina
19 Brooke Saunders
20 Norma Fuaiva’a
21 Jessica Campbell
22 Kristina Sa'aga
23 Georgina Utia
