Rebels veteran Laurie Weeks says the scoreline wasn't the most disappointing thing about their opening Super Rugby loss to the Blues, it was the effort.
Melbourne were lashed by their coach Tony McGahan for their lack of intensity, particularly in the second half at AAMI Park as the round one score blew out to 56-18.
Facing defending champions the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday, Weeks said it was an area they quickly needed to fix.
"In our review a lot of it was about work-rate and that's a mentality thing and we can improve on that really easily," said Weeks, who announced this week he had signed on until 2019.
"A lot of it is about playing the game on our feet. A lot of guys were making tackles then laying on the ground so we will be quicker to our feet and have more bodies in the game.
"That was a part of the game where I didn't lead from the front and we copped a spray about it so hopefully the leaders will be leading."
Assistant coach Morgan Turinui said he expected an improved showing this week.
"It's a performance-based business and we weren't happy with the performance, more so than the result," ex-Wallaby Turinui said.
"It was frustrating as we felt we did some good things early and then let ourselves down and that's not normal for this group.
"Those sorts of things are too bad if you get a reaction so as big a challenge as it is taking on the reigning champions at home, it's a good opportunity for our players to show that that was an aberration."
Ex-NRL star Marika Koroibete is set to make his Super Rugby debut on the wing for the Rebels after overcoming a frustrating knee injury as Melbourne bolster their understrength line-up.
Skipper Nic Stirzaker, who only played the first 10 minutes against the Blues due to a head knock, is also expected to play, with the line-up to be announced on Thursday.
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