Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Melbourne Rebels defeat Western Force despite red card and stadium light drama

By AAP
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

A 14-man Melbourne Rebels have dug deep to post a gutsy 10-7 win over the Western Force in a drama-filled Super Rugby AU match in Perth.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Rebels shot out to a 10-0 lead in the 62nd minute of Friday night’s match when a sizzling run from Marika Koroibete set up a try for scrumhalf Joe Powell.

But the game took a turn in the 69th minute when the Force scored a try through substitute Jack McGregor and Rebels lock Ross Haylett-Petty was red-carded for his action in the lead-up.

Video Spacer

The XV | Stats and Snapshots Episode 3

Rob Vickerman and Andy Clarke come together to give an in-depth analysis of where it’s gone right for Wales in this year’s Six Nations.

Video Spacer

The XV | Stats and Snapshots Episode 3

Rob Vickerman and Andy Clarke come together to give an in-depth analysis of where it’s gone right for Wales in this year’s Six Nations.

Haylett-Petty struck Force substitute Tomas Lezana in the head with his shoulder as he went in to tackle.

There was more drama when the lights at HBF Park went out in the 74th minute – just as the two teams were about to pack down for a scrum near the Force’s try line – halting the game for 10 minutes.

The Rebels were forced to defend grimly for the rest of the match, and they hung tough under intense pressure – and also won a penalty on the Force’s scrum feed in the final minute – to seal their first win of the season.

“I’ve never been involved in a game where the lights cut out, a red card – what a game,” Rebels flyhalf Matt To’omua told Channel 9.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Three away games to start the year is tough, so for us to get the win is huge.”

The Force were sloppy in the first half, committing a host of errors and losing three key lineouts to hand the Rebels field position time and again in front of 7762 fans.

Force flyhalf Jake McIntyre missed a penalty in the 20th minute and then failed to find touch with a penalty kick four minutes later.

Rebels hooker James Hanson almost scored a try in the 25th minute, only for the ball to squeeze out as he was being tackled over the try line.

But the Rebels were on the board a minute later when they put the Force under the pump for six phases before swinging it wide for winger Lachlan Anderson to cross.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Force had just 17 per cent territory and 28 per cent possession in the first half.

McIntyre’s kicking woes continued early in the second half when his attempted kick for touch from a penalty sailed over the try line.

Star Force fullback Rob Kearney also failed to find touch with a penalty kick.

The Force were given a reprieve when To’omua hit the post with a tricky penalty kick in the 53rd minute.

But there was no stopping Koroibete’s run, which sliced open the Force’s defence for Powell to touch down in the corner.

The Force lifted a gear after that, and a series of deft passes in the 69th minute found its way to McGregor to score.

Force captain Ian Prior nailed the conversion from the sideline to make it 10-7.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 31 minutes 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.

26 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'You lied. You're a ***king liar' - Rassie Erasmus' x-rated Bok rant 'You lied. You're a ****king liar' - Rassie Erasmus' x-rated Bok rant
Search