Foote wants Wallabies to contriute more for struggling Rebels

Melbourne Rebels coach Kevin Foote has called on his Wallabies players to step up to help turn around the team's fortunes after a disappointing start to the new Super Rugby Pacific season.

The Rebels have struggled so far in the current campaign, with Friday's 36-17 loss against the ACT Brumbies their fourth defeat in the four games since the season started last month.

"Definitely," said Foote when asked if he expects a greater contribution from his Australia internationals.

"They know themselves - we've got a rating system where each individual player gives themselves a score after the game and the players go away and we do the same and we see where we're at.

"The guys are honest, brutally honest but the scores aren't very high at the moment and they aren't where they want to be and they're taking that quite hard.

"The senior players know they haven't hit their straps and we need them desperately to do that."

Injury issues have affected the Rebels so far and the loss against the Brumbies comes after earlier defeats at the hands of the Queensland Reds, the Western Force and competition newcomers the Fijian Drua.

Foote's starting line-up for the meeting with the Brumbies featured six players with experience of playing for the Wallabies, including Reece Hodge, Joe Powell, Andrew Kellaway and Matt Philip.

But despite the talent on show, the Rebels conceded six tries and Foote is concerned about his team's defensive capabilities.

"I feel more pleased about the attack this week, but to be honest it's the defence that my nerves are coming in a little bit," he said.

"It doesn't look like it's resolute enough for me."

(Reporting by Michael Church in Hong Kong; Editing by Stephen Coates)