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Ex-All Black set to debut for Rebels after 'deflating' first round loss
Melbourne believe the Western Force would have circled their Super Round rugby clash on Friday night as a must-win, as both teams look to rebound from disappointing opening losses.
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The Rebels were awful in a 30-3 round-one defeat to the ACT Brumbies while the Force weren’t a lot better, falling 44-14 to the Hurricanes.
The sides clash as part of the competition’s annual Super Round at AAMI Park, with all 12 teams playing over three days at the Melbourne venue.
Of the Australian teams, the NSW Waratahs and Crusaders square off on Saturday night while the ACT Brumbies and Chiefs meet Sunday afternoon and will be followed by the Reds and Hurricanes.
Rebels attack coach Tim Sampson described their performance against the Brumbies as “deflating” after two strong pre-season showings.
“After the build-up through the pre-season into round one, first home game, it was pretty deflating,” Sampson told AAP.
“How we performed it was well below our expectations and it was across the board in every area of the game.
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“We were very average with a lot of mistakes and poor decision-making.”
Turnovers 
8
Turnovers Won
7
19
Turnovers Lost
15
He said some of the match statistics made for positive reading like 42 defenders beaten and 17 entries into the opposition 22, but they frustratingly failed to convert those opportunities into tries.
Sampson said their faltering line-out, kicking game and handling errors all contributed to the ugly scoreline.
He refused to blame their off-field woes – the financially-stricken club appear headed for closure after this season – for their display but said club psychologist Andrew Waterson would be working closely with the players this week.
Formerly head coach of the Force, Sampson said the Perth club would not have been happy with their own performance and must be fancying their chances against the Rebels, whom they finished above on the 2023 ladder.
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“Coming on their home pitch where they pride themselves on winning, they were quite successful there last year winning five of the six games at home,” he said.
“They will be looking to rebound as well as they’re in a very similar situation to us and I’m sure they’ve circled this game, putting it in their calendar a while ago.”
The Rebels aren’t expected to make many line-up changes apart from the inclusion of new signing, one-Test All Black Matt Proctor in the centres.
The Force will be without prop Marley Pearce, who was on Tuesday suspended for four weeks for a high tackle during the Hurricanes match.
Comments on RugbyPass
‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to comments