AN OLD Sydney prop, a bald Queensland flanker and a veteran Wallaby lock suddenly plucked out of the Brisbane club competition as a possible World Cup contender are leading the charge to secure Australian rugby's newest piece of silverware - for Melbourne.

After two rounds of the Australian Rugby Championship the Melbourne Rebels, tipped by most as likely wooden spooners, remain the only undefeated side.

Their 38-year-old front-rower Heamani Lavaka, tough captain David Croft, 27, and second-rower Matt Cockbain, 34- a member of the Wallabies World Cup shadow squad - have been the old heads guiding an exciting group brought together from all walks of rugby life to an unfamiliar city.

And the reason for their early success has much to do with the philosophy behind the team's formation - which included overlooking Super 14 players. Coach Bill Millard didn't just want talent, he was after disciplined and driven men who weren't going to give him headaches by getting on the drink all night.

"We only picked a certain type of bloke," Millard said. "We didn't want someone who was coming here for the ride and going to get on the piss."

In other words, no one who was literally going to be a rebel.

"If we got party boys down here it would have been pretty hard - but they are just good kids."

Kids with three father figures to give advice and inspire. Croft and Cockbain, both experienced former Wallabies, and Lavaka, lead the side in different ways.

"Crofty is driving this team, on and off the field," Millard said. "Cockbain, having young kids around him makes him feel young. He is a hard man. When he talks, which isn't often, the boys really listen."

Lavaka doesn't have to do much talking either. When teammates see him bench-pressing 160 kilograms while lying on a Swiss ball, it fills them with confidence.

And anyone questioning whether a 38-year-old is up to playing in a high-level competition on a weekly basis will be reminded that last year Lavaka was playing rugby with his Sydney club Easts on Saturdays, and then league on Sundays.

Croft, who was heavily involved in the squad selection, said the "no dickheads policy" meant some Super 14 players were bypassed for hard-working rookies.

"For an absolute fact, there are some [Super 14] guys out there we didn't pick," he said. "I would keep all of these young blokes over a few Super 14 players out there. That is my attitude and that is why I'm happy to be playing here. There's no rock stars in the side, we just play for each other."

The 28-man Rebels squad has managed to bond quickly, helped by the fact they have all moved from their home cities and now live together.

The squad is divided in two, with half residing in South Yarra and the others in St Kilda. They stay at serviced apartments.

Millard said: "The fact we all live together, it's like a three-month rugby tour. The boys were brought together really quickly and I think that's why we have bonded really well.

"But we know we have a lot of improvement left in us. We see the second half of the competition as much harder than the first, because we know the other sides will start to bond quickly as well."

Trying to prevent Melbourne from winning three in a row on Sunday are the Western Sydney Rams, who will host their first ARC game of the season at Parramatta Stadium.

The skipper of the Parramatta-based franchise, Ben Hand, has been impressed with Melbourne's enthusiasm, and said his side would need to beat them in that department if they are to win.