Melbourne aren't reading too much into the Brumbies' big win over the Chiefs, aware it's way too early to call an end to New Zealand's Super Rugby domination of Australian teams.
But the Rebels can do their bit on Friday night, midfielder Billy Meakes says, when they host the unbeaten Highlanders at AAMI Park.
Coming off an early bye, Melbourne are looking to back up their opening round victory over the Brumbies, who last week demolished the Chiefs 54-17.
Rebels inside centre Meakes said his side weren't getting carried away with the ramifications of the Chiefs' big loss.
"I don't know if we can read too much into that one as obviously the Chiefs weren't at their best and the Brumbies were much better," Meakes said.
"We can only test that for ourselves.
"Obviously the Kiwi teams have been the pinnacle."
Meakes, who is yet to make his Test debut despite regularly featuring in national camps following his return from England in 2017, is relishing playing alongside recruit Quade Cooper.
He said the Rebels took heart from the fact their new attacking style, orchestrated by the mercurial Cooper, proved a success in round one.
"What we're trying to do is a little bit different from everything you learn growing up - playing extremely flat, trying to play on top of the defence and in your face and not pulling the ball back too deep," Meakes said.
With Meakes and the rest of the backline firing in round one, coach Dave Wessels has a headache trying to fit Reece Hodge, who has recovered from a fractured ankle, into the line-up.
In the forwards he also has to accommodate Wallabies lock Adam Coleman, who sat out round one with a calf injury, alongside Matt Philip and Luke Jones.
The Rebels broke their own winless run against New Zealand opposition last June with a 20-10 win over the Blues in Auckland.
They should have notched their second win against the Highlanders in Dunedin in July to seal their maiden Super Rugby finals berth but were edged to stay stranded in ninth place.
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