They’re three from three but Melbourne Rebels halfback Will Genia is warning his Super Rugby side they can’t afford a first half horror show like they had against the Brumbies.

Down 19-3, the Rebels roared back to life in the second half at AAMI Park to post a 29-26 win, with Genia himself among the tryscorers.

In vintage form, the Test No.9 also had a hand in two others including the matchwinner, scored by Jack Maddocks.

Apart from the large deficit, the Rebels were concerned by a 10-3 first half penalty count as well as having Test lock Adam Coleman and rookie prop Matt Gibbon yellow-carded.

Last season they were the most penalised team in the competition with Genia warning they couldn’t afford to go down that path again with their next game at altitude in South Africa.

“It’s huge,” Genia said.

“We play the Lions next so we can’t afford to give away penalties – (Elton) Jantjies will kick them from 50-60 metres out or he will put them out and they will maul which is one of their strengths.

“That will be a huge talking point for us.”

Genia said the team would take plenty of confidence in the way they backed their superior fitness and clawed their way to the front.

“It’s easy to play well and win once you’re playing from the front but the fact is that win from behind is huge for us going forward,” he said.

The Rebels head to Johannesburg on Saturday although their large Wallabies contingent will fly to Sydney for a three-day camp and leave for South Africa on Tuesday.