The Rebels suffered a thrashing from the Crusaders in Christchurch but have everything to play for in their final fixture next week, with a finals spot still on the line.
Here's what we're talking about after their 66-0 loss across the Tasman.
1. It all comes down to the final game
While the manner and magnitude of their loss was brutal, the defeat itself - to the top team coming off a rare loss themselves and celebrating a milestone for the Ryan Crotty - was not a massive surprise. The Rebels rested Will Genia, a smart move that allows them to have a fullstrength line-up for next Friday's clash against the Chiefs that will decide their season.
A win in that game is still likely to snare a place in the quarters and the Rebels have to banish thoughts of the Christchurch drubbing - while fixing the defensive errors that cost them - and focus on beating the Chiefs to snare a historic finals place. The injury to Adam Coleman is a concern but coach Dave Wessels should otherwise have a full-strength outfit at his disposal.
2. Edge defence a real worry for the Rebels
The Crusaders played with great width, kicking across field several times to find their wingers with the Rebels' compressed defence found out on several occasions. Richie Mo'unga read the space incredibly and kicked with great accuracy but the Rebels were slow learners, continuing to come off the flanks unnecessarily and paying the price.
It wasn't just kicks that found the Rebels wanting though. Melbourne missed 38 tackles in the match, with many of the efforts inept at this level, while poor reads and mix-ups also cost them dearly.
The absence of regular starters Will Genia and Marika Koroibete may have added to the confusion but it's something the Rebels need to fix quickly.
3. Genia crucial to Rebels' fortunes
The Rebels have lost both games they have played without Genia this season while he was sidelined under the Wallabies' workload rotation policy. While they were only narrowly defeated in Durban, the Rebels were worryingly rudderless without their no.9 in Christchurch, with Genia's absence, along with Quade Cooper starting on the bench exposing a lack of creativity and leadership in the halves.
Michael Ruru was far from poor but no Rebels player was able to stamp themselves on the game in the way needed on Friday night. The Chiefs will believe they have been delivered a game plan to beat the Rebels and Genia and Cooper need to have a strong influence to deliver the Rebels a win.
4. Another small step for Uelese
Jordan Uelese's return was all but lost in the chaos of the match but his 49 minutes should be celebrated in his first Super Rugby start in more than a year after an ACL injury. A dearth of possession for the Rebels skew the stats and make for bland reading.
But Uelese's effort in his time on the field gives him hope ahead of the World Cup squad selection, while the Rebels have the luxury of bringing a match-changer like Anaru Rangi off the bench if they start Uelese again against the Chiefs. Coach Dave Wessels has made sure Uelese has earnt his spot and his intensity and enthusiasm could be just the injection the Rebels need late in the season.
5. Naisarani continues to impress
Even in a badly beaten side, Isi Naisarani continues to make his argument for inclusion in Michael Cheika's World Cup squad. The Rebels hardly touched the ball for large stints of the match but the no.8 still finished with 46m from 13 carries, with a clean break, an offload and three defenders beaten - figures which bettered his esteemed opponent Kieran Read.
Read took honours in defence with a massive 17 tackles, compared to the seven made by Naisarai, but he missed just one - something that could not be said for many of his Rebels teammates in what was an insipid effort at times. The man-mountain has continued to mature as a player this season and will be an integral player for the Wallabies in Japan later this year.
