THE Melbourne Rebels face their biggest test of the season on Friday night and so does Jack Debreczeni.
The in-form fly half will be opposed to a player many regard currently as the world’s best, Wellington and All Blacks No.10 Beauden Barrett.
Coach Dave Wessels said Debreczeni’s performance in last week’s resounding bonus point victory over the Sharks was the best he had seen from him.
This from a player who appeared all but lost to the Rebels last year when he took up a contract with Japanese side Honda Heat.
So late in the piece did the 24-year-old return to the fray that he isn’t even officially a contract Rebels player, instead he remains on the team’s supplementary list.
But Wessels can be glad Debreczeni did make the decision to return, given how crucial he has been in his side’s 4-1 start to the season.
“I’m just very pleased with the way Jack’s playing,” Wessels said.
SHOWDOWN: Rebels primed to break Kiwi curse
“Probably the most pleasing thing on Friday night was Jack’s performance.
“That’s certainly the best I’ve seen him play. I feel like every week he’s getting better and better — the more he plays with Will (Genia), the better he gets.”
The Hurricanes, 3-1, are one of the favourites to claim the Super Rugby title.
One of the keys to their charge is Barrett.
But Wessels is adamant he is stoppable.
“He’s the best player in the world, probably,” Wessels said.
“He links the inside and outside of their attack together pretty well.
“But there’s parts of the game that he doesn’t enjoy doing so much and that’s the stuff, if we want to contain him in defence, we’ve got to make him do.”
Fullback Dane Haylett-Petty and hooker Jordan Uelese have recovered from injuries and are available to play.
The Rebels also announced yesterday that centre David Horwitz would leave the club at the end of the season to take up a contract with Irish club Connacht.
