Melbourne will try to put their Super Rugby Pacific axing aside to pull off a famous victory in Fiji before launching into their first finals campaign.
Before they flew out to face the Drua, the Rebels were told the club would close down at the end of the season - meaning they will play their last ever game next month after 14 years.
While shattered by Rugby Australia's decision, coach Kevin Foote said his players were determined to finish on a high.
"We said we've really got the opportunity to finish strong, and the group and playing staff are really motivated to do that," Foote told AAP.
"We're going to hold our heads high and have a crack."
Currently seventh on the ladder, the Rebels could move to sixth if they beat the Drua on Saturday in Lautoka and the Highlanders lose to the Hurricanes.
Their quarter-final opponents will be revealed late on Saturday.
But no Australian team has ever tasted victory on Fijian soil, while the Drua have won eight of their last nine Super home matches against all-comers.
The Drua are ranked eighth, with a win enough for them keep the chasing pack at bay and play finals.
Rebels general manager Nick Stiles said Melbourne needed to stick to their strengths and not try to beat the Drua at their own free-flowing game.
"Probably the biggest mistake teams make is they go over there and they get caught up in the whole Fijian flair and atmosphere and try and play like the Fijians and the Drua," Stiles said.
"It's a totally different skill set and style of rugby that they can play compared to what we could possibly play, so we've got to stick to our DNA.
"We've got to go over there and really try and control the ball and control set piece - play very, very structured and not a loose style of rugby."
While Melbourne have struggled for wins of late, Stiles felt they were still building well towards the finals.
"We've been playing top-six sides which ultimately puts us in a good position when we get to quarter-finals, in that we know the intensity, we know that there's no room for errors," he said.
"So while we haven't got the wins, we've still been able to evolve over the last month in many different areas - our preparation's gone up another level, our physicality has really improved and we've gone back to some of our strengths."
Backing up after news of the club's demise could prove tough, but Stiles said the club had pulled together all season.
"We've got some really good people and that's what's made it possible for us to get through these times - everyone's stuck together," he said.
"The group's been fantastic and has been duly rewarded with the finals appearance, which is the first time in our history.
"We're very proud of that fact and we're looking forward to attacking this weekend, and also the finals."
