As you may be aware this is our 2nd season following Super Rugby and the Melbourne Rebels – hence Rebels2. Thanks to our friends at www.melbourne rebels.com.au for providing the post by Andrew Stevenson in full.The RaboDirect Rebels pushed reigning champions the Reds all the way to the final whistle in a gritty encounter in Brisbane, but despite a hugely-improved performance their opponents came from behind to win 11-6.
The Queensland crowd was stunned into a rare silence for much of the match, as the Rebels dominated possession and territory, were fierce in defence and created several great attacking opportunities.
Leading the Reds for almost three quarters of the match, the Melbourne side made their 53-3 loss in the same fixture last year seem a distant memory. Captain Gareth Delve said his team’s brave performance showed just how far the team had come during its short time in the FxPro Super Rugby competition.
“To push the champions at their home ground in front of a great crowd, to come that close and still be disappointed shows we’re going in the right direction,” said Delve.
“On the whole we’re happy, it’s a big step forward, and it sets us up for two big home games now in front of a good crowd at AAMI Park.”
The Rebels took the fight to the Reds right from the start, with strong running from Luke Jones and Tom Chamberlain in particular and much better ball retention giving the Rebels quick ball in dangerous attacking positions deep in their opponents’ territory.
Spirited work at the set-piece from Melbourne also surprised the Reds, as the Rebels won early penalties and turnovers in an area few had expected them to contest.
With the perfect platform to test the Reds defence, the Rebels backline shifted the ball wide and regularly broke the gain line, forcing their opponents into conceding penalties to halt the constant attacking threat.
James O’Connor slotted both of his attempts at goal to give his side a 6-0 lead.
The Rebels were a side transformed in defence, missing just six tackles in the first half to the Reds’ 12.
Constantly under pressure from Melbourne’s speed off the line, and pinned back in their half with some sensible tactical kicking from Danny Cipriani and O’Connor, the Reds just couldn’t find their rhythm in the opening stanza.
Mike Harris also uncharacteristically missed his first kick at goal, but got his second just before half-time to bring the score back to 6-3, although the momentum was all with the Rebels.
It took 50 minutes for the titleholders to hit their straps, holding the ball through 10 phases to finally create space for full-back Luke Morahan in the corner, but with Kurtley Beale’s last-ditch defence outstanding all game, he dragged his opposite man into touch as he went over the line.
Beale’s hard work was then undone however, as the Reds stole the lineout which followed and quickly spread it to the other side of the field for winger Dom Shipperley to score. Harris missed the conversion, but knocked over another penalty to give the Reds an uneasy five-point lead at 11-6 with 15 minutes to play.
Queensland showed the skill and composure to close out the game, protecting the ball with tight runners around the breakdown and kicking for territory, but the Rebels never tired.
Attacking until the final whistle, they just couldn’t make their chances count, and had to settle for a fine losing performance instead of the heroic victory they came so close to earning
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