Rebels focus after Beale fiasco Richard Kingi trains with the Rebels. THE Melbourne Rebels face the biggest test of their short Super Rugby history when they attempt to regroup from the week from hell to take on the Cheetahs. The Rebels are trying to rebound from a franchise-record 64-7 loss to the Sharks in Durban and the indefinite suspension of Wallabies playmaker Kurtley Beale for punching two of his teammates in a late-night fight after the loss. Winger Cooper Vuna will also miss the Bloemfontein game for his role in the altercation. The Cheetahs are returning from their most successful Australasian tour after victories over the NSW Waratahs, Highlanders and Western Force. Coach Damien Hill said the Cheetahs would be as tough as the Sharks, who ran in 10 tries. "In some ways, they're more of a challenge than the Sharks," said Hill. They definitely play a more expansive game in terms of their attack and every year they've been in the competition they've improved their defence. It will be a different challenge than the Sharks and it's going to be a very hard game up at altitude. The Rebels spent the week training at their base north of Durban and will be hoping the long-haul travel factor takes its toll on the Cheetahs. Hill made three changes to his run-on side, giving young flanker Jordy Reid and prop Paul Alo-Emile their first starts. Richard Kingi will start on the wing in place of the suspended Cooper Vuna. Hill said the pair earned their spots with their hard work off the bench in the tackle-shy loss. Rebels skipper Gareth Delve, who was punched by Beale, said the team was tighter than ever. "This has been damaging but there's not a huge amount wrong with what we've been do trying to do," the big Welshman said. We've not had to go back to scratch. He said the players had been honest with themselves about the performance against the Sharks and wanted to prove it was an aberration. Everyone's put their hands up for the mistakes that they made on the weekend and we want to make amends. The game is Sunday 2.05am AEDT.