Rebels 25 Brumbies 24
The Melbourne Rebels have secured their first points in Super Rugby with a breathless 25-24 victory at AAMI Park against the Brumbies. An 80th minute Danny Cipriani penalty gave the Rebels the points at the death to send the 14,234 strong Rebel Army into delirium.
The win rewarded a vastly improved Rebels performance against a classy Brumbies outfit that led for almost the length of the game.
The home side was outscored by two tries to one but Cipriani’s boot more than made up the deficit and his kick on the siren will go down as a defining moment in the club’s history.
The Rebels executed their game plan far more effectively than against the Waratahs, particularly their kicking game. The inclusions of Mark Gerrard at fullback and Cipriani at flyhalf hinted at an increased use of the boot and Gerrard’s dangerous bombs and Cipriani’s working of the angles proved effective throughout.
In front of them, the Rebels pack played with more verve, with the back-row consistently crossing the gain line and Michael Lipman and Gareth Delve contributing a series of shuddering hits.
As with round one, the Rebels started brightly and controlled much of the opening exchanges. Little quarter was given by either side as the ball remained almost exclusively the possession of the forwards, with both packs competing for the same centre-field real estate.
Cipriani and Matt Giteau shared three penalties apiece with the half giving little indication of the exciting dénouement to follow.
It wasn’t until five minutes before the interval that either backline found space to accelerate. Giteau made the first decisive midfield break, streaking towards the Rebels’ try line. He was stopped ten metres out and then orchestrated a series of pick and drives that sucked in the Rebels defence. The ball was eventually switched wide to the right wing for fullback Pat McCabe to touch down in the corner. Giteau continued his flawless kicking performance by converting from the touchline.
The 16-9 scoreline remained the same until 10 minutes into the second half. The Brumbies had good field position during the early stages but the Rebels defence held firm. Emboldened by their resilience, a searching Cipriani kick turned defence into attack and from threatening field position the Rebels forced another penalty for the five eighth to narrow the gap - he duly obliged.
Four minutes later and the Englishman’s left boot was at it again, this time smashing over a 48 metre penalty to narrow the gap to just a single point.
The Brumbies riposte was immediate, with a Giteau drop-goal restoring the Brumbies four point lead. By now the game was fraught, the midfield fracturing and tired bodies leaving widening gaps.
This looked to suit the Brumbies, when, on 69 minutes, Henry Speight went over unopposed in the right corner. However, celebrations were cut short as referee Jonathan Kaplan called play back for an earlier knock-on.
Within seconds that moment took on even greater significance as Stirling Mortlock crossed for the first Rebels try in Super Rugby.
On 72 minutes, it was the captain who fittingly went over for the historic score after great work down the left from Cooper Vuna. The Rebels had recycled quick ball in a central attacking position but when Huxley fed Vuna on the left touchline the attack looked to be over. The Auckland-born powerhouse was not to be denied though and held off one tackle while looping a one-handed pass inside for his skipper to crash onto and dive over.
The conversion made it 22-19 and an improbable victory was on the cards.
The script was not yet complete though as from the restart the Brumbies returned fire with a try of their own. It was again Speight again who crossed in the right corner but this time he would not be called back and the game looked over. Crucially, Giteau chose this moment to miscue his first set-piece of the night, his difficult kick clipping the outside of the post.
With so little time left, this seemed not to matter and 24-22 looked to be the final scoreline.
That was until front-row handbags prompted a whistle from referee Kaplan with just seconds remaining. From 37 metres out, 15 metres in from the left touchline Cipriani was handed the opportunity of a place in Rebels history.
With the ground hushed in anticipation and expectation, the Englishman was composure personified and the winning penalty soared through the uprights as AAMI Park erupted.
Round one provided an occasion never to forget. Round two has thrown up a result to cherish forever.
Rebels
1. Nic Henderson, 2. Ged Robinson, 3. Greg Somerville, 4. Adam Byrnes, 5. Kevin O'Neill, 6. Jarrod Saffy, 7. Michael Lipman, 8. Gareth Delve (vc), 9. Nick Phipps, 10. Danny Cipriani, 11. Cooper Vuna, 12. Julian Huxley, 13. Stirling Mortlock (c), 14. Lachlan Mitchell, 15. Mark Gerrard
Reserves: 16. Heath Tessmann, 17. Laurie Weeks, 18. Alister Campbell, 19. Tom Chamberlain, 20. Richard Kingi, 21. Afusipa Taumoepeau, 22. Luke Rooney
Head Coach: Rod Macqueen
Bumbies
1. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Dan Palmer, 4. Ben Hand, 5. Mark Chisholm, 6. Mitchell Chapman, 7. Julian Salvi, 8. Ita Vaea, 9. Josh Valentine, 10. Matt Giteau (c), 11. Francis Fainifo,12. Robbie Coleman, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Pat McCabe
Reserves: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. Salesi Ma’afu, 18. Peter Kimlin, 19. Colby Faingaa, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Matt Toomua, 22. Andrew Smith
Head Coach: Andy Friend
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