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Andrew Kellaway inspires Rebels to win over the Force
By AAP
Filipo Daugunu scored a double and Andrew Kellaway made an early case to wear the Wallabies fullback jersey with a starring role in Melbourne’s rousing 48-34 Super Rugby Pacific victory over Western Force.
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Both teams entered Super Round at AAMI Park after first-round losses, with the cash-strapped Rebels also playing for their future off the field.
Melbourne roared home, scoring four tries in the second half to post a morale-boosting win, with star recruit prop Taniela Tupou a big contributor.
The Rebels’ line-out was again problematic, losing four in the first half, but their forwards otherwise aimed up after criticism following their first-round performance.
With new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt watching from the stands, the home side trailed 19-24 at halftime but could have been further behind if not for Kellaway’s efforts.
He was first on the scoreboard in the eighth minute with a scything run from inside their own half, then closed the margin with his second try seven minutes after the halftime siren.
Kellaway combined with halves James Tuttle and Carter Gordon on the short side off a dominant scrum to dot down.
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The Force answered early in the second half, with a Ben Donaldson penalty and then a try by Force back-rower Michael Wells in the 49th minute pushing their lead out to 34-19.
But from there it was all the Rebels, scoring 29 unanswered points.
The substitutes, led by halfback Ryan Louwrens, fired up the troops and Josh Kemeny and Gordon both scored – the latter taking an intercept from a Donaldson pass.
Ex-Reds winger Filipo Daugunu also demonstrated his athleticism to score twice to keep the Force at bay.
“We needed that one, it was scrappy but we will take it, it’s certainly a step in the right direction,” Kellaway told Stan Sport.
“Our bench was fantastic, they came on and made an immediate impact.”
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