The Rebels are preparing for a physical battle when they take on Samoa on Thursday night.<\/p>\n
It’will be the first time the Rebels will field a close to full-strength squad, a fortnight after their opening trial against the Blues in Auckland.<\/p>\n
Flanker Sean McMahon will captain the side in his first match since last year’s Rugby world Cup and said he would be drawing on those experiences this season.<\/p>\n
“It was a great experience going to the World Cup, being able to bring back what I learned back here is probably what’s’ lifting me to gain more experience and knowledge coming into the 2016 season,” he said.<\/p>\n
Rebels coach Tony McGahan said McMahon epitomised the development of their younger players in recent years.<\/p>\n
“Sean’s one of a number of guys who we’ve invested in over the last two years,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We really feel these guys have got a great grasp of where the group is, the club, who they want to play for and who they want to represent.”<\/p>\n
McGahan said the World Cup experience that players like McMahon and Toby Smith now have would be invaluable for the Rebels in 2016.<\/p>\n
“He (McMahon) has the World Cup (experience now).<\/p>\n
“Anytime you’re playing international rugby..you come back with some really good experience and great belief.<\/p>\n
“To be on an international stage and be in a Wallabies side that played so well …it’s very hard to replicate at training.<\/p>\n
“They’re earned through the team and those two guys have been at the forefront of what we’re doing this preseason.”<\/p>\n
The Rebels are set to announce their 2016 captain later this week, with Jack Debreczeni and McMahon serving as captains for their trials.<\/p>\n