The Western Force will try to gain some consolation from their season of pain by finishing third in the Australian Super Rugby conference.

The Force and Brumbies enter the final round tied on 33 points, but the Perth-based franchise is slightly ahead on the table on better points differential (-86 compared to -89).

The Brumbies will attempt to make it three wins on the trot when they take on NSW Waratahs on Saturday in Sydney, while the Force confront the struggling Melbourne Rebels on Friday night at AAMI Park.

Force coach Richard Graham said it was important for his team to finish with a win after a season of heartbreaking losses, including last week's 24-21 reverse against Queensland.

"Certainly, from a confidence point of view, (it's important) that we finish third in the Australian conference," Graham said.

"We are in control of that, given that we are ahead of the Brumbies at the moment on that table. (There's) a lot to play for.

"There's no doubt the side has grown (despite a string of tight losses this year).

"They fight really hard and the football's got better in some difficult circumstances.

"But ultimately, sport's about winning, isn't it? And for me, that's something we need to address in the next couple of months before we come back here in pre-season."

Graham rated fullback Cameron Shepherd an 80 per cent chance to return against the Rebels, where he would be a straight swap for the suspended James O'Connor.

Shepherd had been sidelined since minor knee surgery last month, with his scheduled return against the Hurricanes three weeks ago put on hold when he injured his hamstring at training on the eve of the match.

"There's no doubt it's been frustrating (for him)," Graham said.

"He was probably a lot more durable at the front end of the season, and then with the little knee injury has come the other injuries."

Wallabies' flanker Ben McCalman will join Sam Wykes in the second row to fill in for injured skipper Nathan Sharpe (ankle).

Graham said Sharpe's absence would give Wykes a good opportunity to take on more responsibility at the lineout.

"He'll call the lineouts, and that's something he developed through pre-season when Nathan wasn't available," Graham said.

"(Sharpe) has played 53 games consecutively and, whilst he's the iron man, we as a side have to grow without him."

Friday night's match is set to be Rod Macqueen's last in charge of the Rebels, with the former Wallabies' coach expected to hand over the reins to assistant Damien Hill at the end of the season.

"If you've ever heard Rod speak, he doesn't consider himself a career coach. He considers himself as a businessman who enjoys being involved in rugby," Graham said.

"His passion comes in setting up the organisation and I think it's just a natural progression for them."

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