Rebels end bumbling Brumbies' run
SUPER RUGBY AU MATCH REPORT: The Melbourne Rebels ended the Brumbies' unbeaten run with an impressive and dominant performance in Sydney on Friday.
Leading 27-7 at half-time at the Leichhardt Oval, the Rebels held the Brumbies to a solitary late try after the break for a 30-12 win that saw them move to second place on the standings.
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The Brumbies arrived for their Friday clash at the rain-soaked venue with a commanding seven-point lead at the top of the Super Rugby AU ladder, but left shell-shocked.
With playmakers Matt Toomua and Andrew Deegan playing smart wet-weather rugby in Sydney, the Rebels were in full control throughout while the Brumbies were uncharacteristically poor.
Fullback Reece Hodge showed their intent when he scored the first of his two tries in the third minute as they shifted the ball wide.
The lead was extended to 12-0 when Marika Koroibete kicked a loose ball ahead and raced Andy Muirhead downfield with the Brumbies wing failing to pick it up in the greasy conditions before Koroibete managed to offload to flank Brad Wilkin.
Some rare joy of the night for the Canberra team came two minutes later when they mauled the ball off an attacking line-out, with halfback Joe Powell scooting across the tryline.
But the Rebels were up for the fight and responded soon after through Hodge's second and they were out to 27-7 by half-time.
The Brumbies had to toil a man down when flank Tom Cusack was yellow-carded for repeated infringements right on halftime but their defence at least held firm in his absence.
They can take heart that they limited Melbourne to a sole penalty kick in the second half despite plenty of pressure and managed a late try through Will Miller.
Both teams finished with some injury concerns with Brumbies prop Scott Sio limping off, as did Rebels back row forward Rob Leota, while Melbourne hooker Jordan Uelese and Brumbies prop Tom Ross both suffered head knocks.
Man of the match: The Brumbies' most effective players were Nick Frost, Darcy Swain and Allan Alaalatoa. Brad Wilkin had an impressive game for the Revels, both on defence and with a high workrate. However, the key was the Rebels' decision to use the two playmakers system so popular in New Zealand. Andrew Deegan's tactical awareness at flyhalf in the testing conditions and Matt To'omua, leading the team from inside centre, showed his experience. To'omua also produced some really big hits, especially when the brute Tevita Kuridrani was charging into his channel, and he wins our award.
The scorers
For the Melbourne Rebels:
Tries: Hodge 2, Wilkin, Uelese
Cons: To'omua 2
Pens: To'omua 2
For the Brumbies:
Tries: Powell, Miller
Con: Kuenzle
Yellow card: Tom Cusack (Brumbies, 40 - repeated infringements, offside)
Teams
Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Campbell Magnay, 12 Matt Toomua (captain), 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Andrew Deegan, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Brad Wilkin, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cameron Orr.
Replacements: 16 Efitusi Ma’afu, 17 Cabous Eloff, 18 Pone Fa'amausili, 19 Michael Stolberg, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Rob Leota, 22 James Tuttle, 23 Billy Meakes.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Andy Muirhead, 10 Bayley Kuenzle, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Connal McInerney, 17 Harry Lloyd, 18 Tom Ross, 19 Will Miller, 20 Ben Hyne, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Mack Hansen, 23 Len Ikitau.
Referee: Graham Cooper
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner & Reuben Keane
TMO: George Ayoub