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Big win for the Rebels could come at a big cost

By Online Editors
Rebel Will Genia shortly after being knocked out cold (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images for Sunwolves)

Melbourne’s big Super Rugby win over the Sunwolves has come at a cost with Test halfback Will Genia knocked out.

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The Rebels kept their quest for a maiden finals appearance on track with a 52-7 bonus-point win over the Sunwolves on Saturday in hot conditions in Tokyo.

Recording their highest score in Super Rugby, they remain a point behind the conference-leading Brumbies, who had a win on Friday night over the Bulls.

Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete continued his run of impressive form, picking up two tries and setting up a third, among the team’s haul of eight.

Fellow flyer Jack Maddocks scored a brace as well, while Rebels playmaker Quade Cooper had a hand in many of the five-pointers.

World Cup hopeful Jordan Uelese made his first appearance of the season after a knee reconstruction, looking fit off the bench, and collected a try from a maul after the final siren.

Skipper Dane Haylett-Petty was delighted by the performance after a d isappointing loss to the Bulls last round.

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“We are obviously very happy with that,” the fullback said.

“It was definitely a must-win game for us but I think they all are down to the pointy end of the competition.”

But Genia might miss Friday night’s crucial showdown with the NSW Waratahs at AAMI Park.

In the first minute of the second half, Sunwolves wrecking ball Amanaki Mafi ran over the top of Genia, with the halfback’s head collected by the boot of centre Phil Burleigh as he ran through.

Genia managed to walk from the field, but looked dazed. The only upside of the injury was that reserve halfback Michael Ruru impressed, scoring a try, after limited game time this season.

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Apart from the Genia blow, the Rebels looked sharp against the struggling Sunwolves.

They led 19-0 at halftime thanks to a try by flanker Angus Cottrell and Koroibete’s double.

That was pushed out to 31-0 before the home side finally made it onto th e scoreboard in the 62nd minute when fullback Jason Emery charged down a Reece Hodge clearing kick and won the race to the ball to touch down.

Melbourne’s set piece also deserved praise. The Rebels’ pack dominated the lineout and scrum to give plenty of go-forward for their backs.

Haylett-Petty said the Rebels were particularly pleased with their defence, limiting the Sunwolves to just one try.

“We know we are a good attacking team but I’m really proud of the defence today – we knew we needed to improve on that,” he said.

“We wanted to be physical, especially in our forwards, and they really stood up today and set a good platform.”

– AAP

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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