OF all the 15 remaining Super Rugby teams, the performances of the Rebels will perhaps carry the most intrigue, and be more scrutinised than ever before following their near death experience and the eventual culling of the Force.

The Rebels have never qualified for the finals after seven years of toil and were lucky to survive after the Force showed a lot of heart in the 2017 season.

The Rebels, meanwhile, finished stone cold last but the chances of the Melbourne club breaking their playoff duck have never been better than in 2018.

Bright young coach Dave Wessels has taken the reins and brought a clutch of the Force’s best players across the Nullarbor — spearheaded by world class lock Adam Coleman who will captain the new look club.

Experienced Test stars Will Genia and Geoff Parling are also on deck to complement the Rebels’ existing standouts Amanaki Mafi, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete and Sefa Naivalu.

Here’s our Super Rugby Spotlight on the Rebels as we countdown to their season opener against the Reds at AAMI Park on Friday.

We are running our eye over all four Australian franchises this week.

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The Rebels have had a huge player turnover in the off-season. Source: FOX SPORTS

THE REBELS SQUAD

Props: Jermaine Ainsley, Ben Daley, Tetera Faulkner, Tom Moloney, Fereti Sa’aga, Sam Talakai, Laurie Weeks

Hookers: Anaru Rangi, Jordan Uelese, Mahe Vailanu

Locks: Adam Coleman (c), Trevor Hosea, Sam Jeffries, Geoff Parling, Matt Philip

Loose forwards: Angus Cottrell, Colby Fainga’a, Richard Hardwick, Ross Haylett-Petty, Rob Leota, Amanaki Mafi, Lopeti Timani

Scrumhalves: Will Genia, Harrison Goddard, Michael Ruru

Fly halves: Tayler Adams, Jack Debreczeni, Jack McGregor

Centres: Reece Hodge, David Horwitz, Billy Meakes, Hunter Paisami, Sione Tuipulotu

Wingers: Tom English, Henry Hutchison, Marika Koroibete, Sefa Naivalu, Dom Shipperley, Semisi Tupou

Fullbacks: Dane Haylett-Petty, Jack Maddocks

THE OFFSEASON INS AND OUTS

IN: Jermaine Ainsley (Force), Ben Daley (Force), Tetera Faulkner (Force), Sam Talakai (Reds), Anaru Rangi (Force), Adam Coleman (Force), Trevor Hosea (Melbourne Rising), Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Philip (Force), Richard Hardwick (Force), Ross Haylett-Petty (Force), Will Genia (Stade Francais), Michael Ruru (Force), Tayler Adams (NSW Country Eagles), David Horwitz (Waratahs), Billy Meakes (Force), Hunter Paisami (Melbourne Rising), Henry Hutchison (Australia sevens), Dane Haylett-Petty (Force)

OUT: Cruze Ah-Nau (Zebre), Tyrel Lomax (Highlanders), Toby Smith (Hurricanes), James Hanson (Gloucester), Patrick Leafa (Vannes), Siliva Siliva (Melbourne Rising), Steve Cummins (Scarlets), Dominic Day (Saracens), Murray Douglas (Hurricanes), Culum Retallick (Bay of Plenty), Harley Fox (Connacht), Sean McMahon (Suntory Sungoliath), Will Miller (Waratahs), Hugh Sinclair (Sydney Rays), Ben Meehan (London Irish), Michael Snowden (released), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Hurricanes), Ben Volavola (North Harbour), Mitch Inman (Oyonnax), Jonah Placid (Toulon)

THE BEST XV

Dane Haylett-Petty, Marika Koroibete, Billy Meakes, Reece Hodge, Sefa Naivalu, Jack Debreczeni, Will Genia, Amanaki Mafi, Richard Hardwick, Lopeti Timani, Adam Coleman, Geoff Parling, Jermaine Ainsley, Jordan Uelese, Tetera Faulkner

WHY?

The Rebels finally have some depth and competition for places although star winger Marika Koroibete will miss the season opener against the Reds with a knee injury.

New Wallaby Matt Philip versus English veteran Geoff Parling is a tight call to partner Adam Coleman in the second row while there are plenty of backrow options with Angus Cottrell, Colby Fainga’a and Ross Haylett-Petty all useful contributors in addition to the names listed above.

Five-eighth is the big question mark, however, and Jack Debreczeni will be given another crack in turning his potential into production after apparently rediscovering his love for rugby in Japan.

Reece Hodge, David Horwitz, Tayler Adams and Jack McGregor are other No 10 options for Wessels to chew over.

THE REASONS FOR OPTIMISM

Wessels was ultra impressive in his first season as a Super Rugby head coach last year, piloting the Force to consistently competitive performances despite the off-field carnage around him.

If he can get the Melbourne and Perth factions to pull in the same direction then there is enough talent to mount a serious finals charge.

Adam Coleman is an inspired choice as captain while they have good men in key positions — Will Genia, Amanaki Mafi, Reece Hodge and Dane Haylett-Petty.

THE REASONS FOR CONCERN

We all know rugby games aren’t won on paper and it will clearly take this new-look team some time to jell.

It was only preseason but last week’s 47-5 loss to the Waratahs had to be concerning and Brad Thorn’s Reds will fancy their chances of a first up victory at AAMI Park.

Five-eighth is also a concern and the Rebels may regret letting Jono Lance slip through their fingers.

Don’t be surprised to see Reece Hodge used there this season.

THE DRAW

Round 1: Bye

Round 2: Reds (home)

Round 3: Sunwolves (away)

Round 4: Brumbies (home)

Round 5: Waratahs (away)

Round 6: Sharks (home)

Round 7: Hurricanes (home)

Round 8: Bye

Round 9: Jaguares (home)

Round 10: Bulls (away)

Round 11: Stormers (away)

Round 12: Crusaders (home)

Round 13: Brumbies (away)

Round 14: Bye

Round 15: Sunwolves (home)

Round 16: Blues (away)

Round 17: Waratahs (home)

Round 18: Reds (away)

Round 19: Highlanders (away)

THE ODDS

To win the Australian conference: $5

To win the title: $51

PREDICTION

Second in the Australian conference.

I was initially going to be bold and tip them to go top but uncertainty at No 10 and the trial hammering scared me off.