Melbourne Rebels coach Rod Macqueen says that his new Super rugby team must be a competitive franchise from day one.

The Rebels are Super rugby’s newest franchise and they will need to build support and a fan base quickly as he most gruelling provincial rugby competition will quickly any weaknesses.

When the Force joined Super rugby their first taste of success in any shape came in the 11th round when they drew against the Crusaders.

The Rebels however have been allowed to build a squad using global talent and the coach has some of the best credentials in the business and he wants them to hit the ground running.

“The biggest thing is we are starting off a new franchise in a competition that’s been going professional for 15 years, so I think we’d be silly to think it’s going to be anything else but very, very challenging for us,” Macqueen told foxsports.

“I think a lot of the future (of the Rebels) will depend on the team being competitive and playing a brand of rugby that people want to watch.

“We can’t afford to build up over three years.

“We need to be competitive from day one, and that’s our aim and anything after that is a bonus.”

Macqueen has been largely focused on developing the style of play that the Rebels will be using and the world cup winning coach knows that the Melbourne public will love nothing more than to have a team they can identify as their own.

“I would hope that we play a brand of rugby that is unique to Melbourne, although that doesn’t mean that it will be totally different, Macqueen said.

“But it has to be something that the people of Melbourne and Victoria will see as their own, and that will become more evident as the years go on.”

The Rebels have been largely predicted to finish their first season at the bottom of the Australian conference and near the bottom of the overall table but with a squad that is with plenty of international caps and raw young talent they might be able to surprise many if Macqueen can get the team to gel. .

“I am happy that the team’s really jelled well together as a group, and I feel we’re as well prepared as we could be,” Macqueen said.

Support for the Rebels in Melbourne has been swelling and in their last trial match against the Crusaders at AAMI Park 13 013 fans turned up and Macqueen says the early signs are positive.

“It’s early days but I can’t recall too many trials where we’ve have had 13,500,” Macqueen said.

“So It’s looking extremely promising.”