Melbourne Rebels coach Rod Macqueen stressed his side still had much ground to make up despite a promising trial outing against Super Rugby heavyweights the Crusaders on Saturday night.

While the Western Force and the NSW Waratahs produced solid victories in their trials played in sweltering Sydney, the Rebels fell short in cool conditions at AAMI Park in Melbourne, losing 19-14 to the All Black-laden New Zealand outfit.

More than 13,000 fans turned out for their last trial ahead of their historic opening round clash with the Waratahs on February 18 and they won an unexpected fan in Crusaders coach and former All Black great Todd Blackadder.

"I think the Rebels can take a lot of confidence," he said.

"I think they'll be really really competitive, they're a good side."

Macqueen was satisfied with his side's showing against their first quality opponent, after coasting to early trial wins over weakened Tonga and Fiji teams.

"We took a step up as a team but being realistic we've got a way to go and it's a struggle," he said.

"We were competitive against one of the better sides in the competition so that gives us something to work on."

He pointed to the team's poor ball control and their communication as key areas to improve.

"We had control for large sections of the match but let ourselves down," said Macqueen.

"We got a lot out of that game, it gave us a measure of where we are.

"I'd love to say that we came out of it and are looking forward to a fantastic season but it isn't certainly like that, we've progressed slowly, but this has definitely been a step up for us."

Skipper Stirling Mortlock impressed in only his second match following back surgery, while former Brumbies fullback Julian Huxley's performance was encouraging in his first game for the Rebels after overcoming osteitis pubis.

Meanwhile, Force recruits five-eighth Willie Ripia and wingers David Smith and Alfie Mafi impressed in their side's 40-24 win over an Australian Barbarians played in temperatures reaching above 40 degrees at TG Milner Field.

"That was probably the hottest conditions you'd be asked to play rugby in, normally I'd say a game like that would be postponed or even cancelled," said new Force coach Richard Graham.

"The efforts of the boys can't be questioned. I challenged them to run the ball, take quick taps and not just kick for touch, all the things to try and keep the speed of the game high.

"There is no point coming into these games and getting an easy win by 30 or 40 points and walking away thinking everything is rosy.

"Clearly we have some areas we need to work on and we'll go back to the training field before we meet the Waratahs and look to see some progression when that game comes around."

The Waratahs accounted for the Fiji Warriors 41-13 on Friday night at the Sydney Football Stadium, with new signing winger Afa Pakalani and outside centre Lachie Turner both collecting doubles in the seven-try romp.

NSW and the Force will meet on Thursday night in Nowra, south of Wollongong.

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