Melbourne Rebels pair James O'Connor and Angus Roberts in doubt for Stomers clash Melbourne Rebels back Angus Roberts is in doubt Friday's clash with the Stormers. X-RAYS have cleared Melbourne Rebels backs James O'Connor and Angus Roberts of bone fractures but further scans will determine if they can face the Stormers on Friday night. With Rebels and Australian Rugby Union officials to meet within 48 hours to discuss Kurtley Beale's future, the availability of the playmakers is doubly important. They were injured during the 36-32 loss to Auckland Blues at Eden Park on Saturday night. Rebels staff feared O'Connor might have a fractured sternum. He complained of chest pain after being trampled by Rene Ranger. Roberts replaced O'Connor midway through the first half, lasting eight minutes before dislocating his left shoulder. Coach Damien Hill said scans would determine whether the pair would play against Cape Town's Stormers at AAMI Park. Beale's fate will be decided today or tomorrow. It is likely he will resume after serving a one-match ban for breaching behavioural protocols. He admitted he had consumed alcohol, violating a pact he agreed to with Melbourne, the ARU and the Rugby Union Players' Association. Melbourne's players and coaching staff were again left to ponder what might have been after another harrowing loss. For the fourth time in four matches, the Rebels came within a converted try of victory. The Rebels are 2-9 in 12th place on the Super Rugby ladder after pocketing bonus points in their past four outings. While acknowledging Melbourne's improvement, Hill's frustration is growing. "The decision has to be made by the guys on the pitch to play the full 80 minutes," Hill said after lamentable first-half defence again proved costly. It's down to one missed tackle or one poor kick or one poor decision -- it's the difference at the moment. We continue to work very hard to correct that, but it's frustrating for everybody involved that we haven't taken that final step. Captain Scott Higginbotham, who excelled again, empathised with Hill. "It's tough," he said. I understand where we're at as a team. I think we've built very well through the year. We were criticised at the start of the year for not playing 80 minutes. There's still a few lapses through the middle of the game. It was the same this week. Now I think we are putting in an 80-minute effort.