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Rebels ready for biggest challenge
February 1, 2011
MELBOURNE prop Greg Somerville says his new side will face its biggest challenge against the Crusaders in its final Super rugby pre-season hitout.
The Rebels had two big trial wins over Tonga and then easily accounted for Fiji last Saturday night, but Somerville, who played 116 Super games for the Crusaders before a stint in England, said his former side would present a much tougher prospect on Saturday night at AAMI Park.
''Being realistic and without disrespecting the island teams, the Crusaders are one of the benchmark teams of the Super competition,'' said Somerville, who has also earned 66 Test caps with New Zealand. ''We're going to have to lift a heck of a lot.''
The Crusaders, who were beaten 42-15 by Queensland last Saturday, are set to play without their eight All Blacks, who only resumed training yesterday, including injured former league star Sonny Bill Williams.
But Somerville has too much respect for his old side to take them lightly.
''The whole environment there's pretty good so the guys who are youngsters who aren't All Blacks are pretty well skilled. They'll field a stronger side than last week when they had a few out with injury, it will take them to another level.''
AAP