The Melbourne Rebels are holding onto their to their finals hopes as they prepare for the Hurricanes

The Chiefs look set to welcome back talisman lock Brodie Retallick for their Super Rugby Pacific game against the Force in Hamilton on Saturday.

Reds coach and former World Cup-winning All Black Brad Thorn said his side paid the cost of missing far too many tackles in their 26-53 Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday.

Highlanders coach Tony Brown's instincts bore fruit in Dunedin on Friday.

Melbourne's quest for Super Rugby Pacific redemption has fallen just short, with the Rebels going down to the Chiefs 33-30 in a Sunday afternoon thriller.