Gwrys Yn Kernow: Pirates draw in Play offs Round 1

Thank you to our friends at Pirates for providing us with Wolls match report and photo.



Cornish Pirates 14 Leeds Carnegie 14

RFU Championship Play-Offs Round 1

Saturday 10th March 2012

Woll's Match Report

Despite the fine, spring like conditions providing the ideal back drop for this first round of the play offs; the feeling at the end of proceedings was one of disappointment in the Pirate camp.

The significance of having parked themselves into a second spot berth with their fourth draw of the season was lost as a rule. A feeling confirmed post match, by an underwhelmed Chris Stirling who was clearly un-impressed with just about every aspect of his side’s overall performance.

The prospect of heading up to Goldington Road in the immediate aftermath consequently looks rather daunting. Throw in yet another back, in the shape of Tom Cooper, booked in to the treatment room after his 55 th minute withdrawal for what appears to be knee ligament damage; and suddenly that hill in Bedford suddenly takes on Matterhorn proportions.

We knew it would be tough today and deal closer than when the sides last clashed here in Cornwall back in September. The narrow loss at Headingley in December further backed this pre match assessment; but with the Pirates unable to really function anywhere near their best, Leeds were in no small way let off the hook.

And yet it was the Yorkshiremen who were out of the blocks quickest with the first of Ford’s three penalties, handing them the opening score with less than two minutes on the clock.

The Pirates quickly responded and threatened from the restart to redress this early setback. Kessell’s impeding off the ball was spotted by touch judge, Mr Parker-Sedgemore, who alerted Mr Knowles immediately of the indiscretion.

Bizarrely, Penberthy had to await finding touch, whilst the eagle eye man on the side-line rather sheepishly trotted back towards the end that the Pirates were playing towards; intent as he was to check out the Old Western National Corner instead.

It mattered little however as Pointer then stormed into the Scoreboard Corner shortly after to get the Pirates on the board. Cook duly made it seven with his conversion, from the exact same spot he’d missed from with a penalty attempt just before.

The lead didn’t last for long however as, with errors creeping into both sides’ performances, Leeds pounced after some good work by the impressive Barrow created the space for McColl to canter in at the Newlyn Gate Corner, for what was to be their only try of the afternoon.

Ford’s sighting this time wasn’t in gear and so a point in it was how it was to remain until the break. This due mainly to a catalogue of poor decision making by the home side and this regardless of their pack’s overwhelming superiority at the scrum.

Leeds’ insistence on slowing down play that was already at a snail’s pace, didn’t help either. But then with points on the road likely to be a deciding factor; why not?

Just as well then that Pointer’s sliced kick directly into touch finally brought a frustrating half to its natural and apt conclusion.

At the resumption, it was the hosts who this time began the most sprightly winning as they did a string of penalties that put them well into the visitors 22 on a couple of occasions.

The Yorkshire pack wobbled in tandem, but with Burrows bailing them out on more than one occasion, they survived this spell with their lead intact. Penberthy’s deflected drop goal attempt being the nearest the Cornishmen got to taking the initiative back.

To their credit the Pirates didn’t let heads drop and having remained without any points for the thick end of fifty minutes; the momentum finally fell into their hands.

Kessell came agonisingly close with a piercing run that fell a couple of metres short and the next spell of pressure had begun.

Up stepped the forwards who then battered their opposite numbers with a succession of scrums that finally wore Mr Knowles’s patience thin.

The recently introduced Denton invitation to get straight back off, was the first sign of the officials impatience. The penalty try was the next, and with the one man advantage the game was surely for the taking.

If only. No sooner were their noses in front and the scent of an important win up the proverbial nostrils, then Ford had levelled things with his side’s only real other contribution to the game.

Level pegging it had to be then, and so it remained as the Pirates huffed and puffed before finally creating one last chance for Pointer to win it from 53 metres out.

It wasn’t to be and perhaps given some of the inaccuracy on display this was perhaps the fitting way to end a below par game all round.

Maybe Ward’s and Young’s post match exchange of words bodes at least for a much more up to scratch return at Headingley next month. We certainly hope so although as the cliché bangs on about: ”there’s an awful lot of rugby to be played before then”. More perhaps than was on display today!

Cornish Pirates
15 R. Cook 14 T. Kessell 13 G. Pointer 12 T. Cooper (22 A. Suniula 55mins) 11 M. Evans 10 A. Penberthy (21 C. Thomas 74mins) 9 G. Cattle (capt) 8 K. Marriott (19 B. Maidment 50mins) 7 C. Morgan 6 D. Ewers (20 P. Burgess 50mins) 5 I. Nimmo 4 M. Smith 3 A. Paver (L. Fairbrother 67mins) 2 D. Ward 1 C. Rimmer(18 P. Andrew 65mins)

Replacements: un-used 17 T. Cowan-Dickie

Tries: Pointer, Penalty
Cons: Cook 2

Leeds Carnegie
15 S. McColl 14 M. Stephenson (22 J. Davies 20mins) 13 I. Thornley 12 S. Barrow 11 P. Lucock 10 J. Ford 9 W. Cliff 1 S. Lockwood (18 D. Young 49mins)( 3 H. Aulika 78min) 2 A. Titterrell (c) (16 P. Nilsen 44mins) 3 H. Aulika (17 G. Denman 55mins) 4 J. Pendlebury (20 D. Paul 61mins) 5 D. Hemingway (19 T. Denton 45mins) 6 E. Williamson 7 J. Rowan 8. R. Burrows

Replacements: un-used 21 C. Hampson

Tries: McColl
Pens: Ford 3

Yellow: Denton

Match Officials
Referee: Paul Knowles
Assistants: Richard Parker- Sedgemore, Michael Tutty
Official 4: Andy Bickle
Assessor: Jerry Wallis

Attendance: 1953


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Rebels 2: Rebels push champions all the way

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

World in Union: Round 17 review of the Aviva Premiership

Thank you to our friends at premiership.com and Aviva, for providing us with the following post.

Another cracking Aviva Premiership weekend saw Harlequins and Saracens win at the top, while London Wasps picked up a crucial victory at the bottom.London Wasps director of rugby Dai Young paid tribute to his players after they overcame the loss of England scrum-half Joe Simpson to end their nine-match losing run in Aviva Premiership Rugby.

The crucial 18-13 derby victory over London Irish put Wasps eight points clear of Newcastle, who had cut the gap at the bottom to four points with their 9-9 home draw against leaders Harlequins less than 24 hours earlier.

Saracens rugby director Mark McCall hailed fly-half Charlie Hodgson's kicking as "outstanding" as the reigning champions beat Northampton 18-12 to close on Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders Harlequins.

Saracens now trail Quins by four points thanks to six penalties from six attempts from England stand-off Hodgson.
McCall said: "Charlie was outstanding. His place-kicking was exemplary and his game-management tremendous, particularly when we came under pressure in the first half.

"All Charlie can do in terms of England selection is what he did, perform to a high standard. He has got himself back in contention for the England squad and England now have a decision to make with both Charlie and Toby Flood fit again and available."

LeicesterTigers boss Richard Cockerill showered praise on England half-backs Toby Flood and Ben Youngs after the Tigers crushed Aviva Premiership Rugby play-off rivals Gloucester at Welford Road.

Scrum-half Youngs scored one try and helped create two others, while Flood booted 11 points and kept Gloucester on the back foot through his masterly tactical kicking in miserable conditions.

"Ben and Toby came back to us on Thursday, and we wanted them to enjoy it today and have a crack," Cockerill said. "We know they are quality players, and I thought they did some fantastic things. Their attitude was really good."

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter felt his players had set the record straight on two fronts with Saturday's 37-12 win over Sale.

The home side bounced back from a 12-9 loss to Bath to score five tries and keep their unbeaten run against Sale going, moving up to fifth in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table in the process.

Baxter said: "I think the players wanted to put the record straight after the relatively close loss to Bath, but they also wanted to put the record straight after what happened at Sale when many felt that the Sharks had thrown it away.

"Not many talked about how well Exeter played for the last 60 minutes up there to come away with a win. So we felt that we had a point to prove and we wanted to show that we could score tries.

"We are a good rugby side, we have got ambition, we are looking up the table and hunting things down rather than worrying about other stuff. We showed that in this game."

Bath coach Brad Davis hailed a mature performance from rookie fly-half Tom Heathcote after a 36-17 win over Worcester put the west country club within touching distance of a Heineken Cup qualification spot.

Donald is currently ruled out by a knee ligament injury and may not be back until early April, but Davis warned that he is not going to walk back into the team.

"Stephen's going to have to fight his way back into that number 10 shirt," Davis said. "The guy who's there at the moment is going from strength to strength and learning the game.

"The crowd here at the Rec know their stuff and when Tommy's on the ball they get excited about what he does for the team. He's a level-headed guy but he was terrific again today."

Harlequins boss Conor O'Shea said that his side struggled to impose themselves on Newcastle in a feisty clash at Kingston Park.

O'Shea was not a happy man after an ill-tempered match in which Newcastle had led 9-6 going into the dying seconds despite having had two players sin-binned during the game.

"We had to scrap and the atmosphere was febrile out there," said O'Shea. "We wanted pace in the game and we couldn't get that. All credit to the Falcons in what was a very physical game but on more than one occasion, I think the line was crossed.

"I think Newcastle overstepped that mark. It was tough and uncompromising and I just hope Newcastle stick to not going over the edge."


Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter felt his players had set the record straight on two fronts with Saturday's 37-12 win over Sale.

Kult & Punk: St Pauli draw with 1860 Munich

The boys were in Munich, somewhere! When in Munich it would be just wrong to ignore all that Bavarian brew. Thank you to our friend Andy James for providing the match report. The boys will be back next week, we have fixed a tracker to them.

1860 Munich 1 FC St. Pauli 1

Munich - A late finish from Kevin Volland ensured 1860 Munich rescued a deserved point in a 1-1 draw with fellow promotion hopefuls FC St. Pauli in Monday evening's top Bundesliga 2 match.

Florian Bruns had given the visitors a first-half lead against the run of play from the spot, but Reiner Maurer's charges continued to set the tone and were eventually rewarded in the closing stages as Volland slotted in the equaliser. The Bavarians thus prevent their rivals from pulling further in front as both remain well-placed to launch a late assault on the promotion places.

Hosts in form

Having taken 22 points from a possible 24 of late, 1860 were already confident heading into the game and were boosted further still by their biggest crowd of the season so far. The Lions duly ruled the roost early on, going agonisingly close on 14 minutes when right-back Anton Rukavina hammered against the upright with a sweet half-volley from all of 25 yards.

With St. Pauli struggling to make inroads at the other end, 1860 continued to pressure and ought to have gone in front on 22 minute when Kai Bülow's cross was helped on its way by Djordje Rakic, but Volland was unable to connect at close range in the centre.

Bruns from the spot

With the scoreline still level there was always a danger that the hosts would be caught, and the unthinkable happened for the 30,000 or so home fans on 33 minutes when Bülow took down Petar Sliskovic with a clumsy challenge in the box. Bruns stepped up to do the honours from the spot, even if 1860 keeper Gabor Kiraly came mighty close to keeping the midfielder's spot-kick out.

Rocked by the sudden deficit, 1860 briefly lost their composure as the visitors enjoyed their best spell, but a disallowed goal by Stefan Aigner restored belief and they finished the half strongly. Bülow almost redeemed himself for his earlier misdemeanour with a cross-cum-shot which nearly dipped under the bar, but Benedikt Pliquett recovered to tip away in the St. Pauli goal.

Pressure pays off

Andre Schubert's Kiezkicker began the second half with promise as Max Kruse tested Kiraly with a distance strike, but soon normal service resumed with 1860 dictating the play but again failing to make the most of their numerous deliveries.

Bruns tried his luck from range as St. Pauli again began to wrestle some authority entering the latter stages, but just as it looked like 1860 were about to let their heads drop, a mistake in the away defence allowed substitute Collin Benjamin to pounce and tee up Volland to level the scores with just two minutes remaining.


Andy James

Sol y Futbol: Lanzarote fall in the last minute - again.

Mr Ian Lane reports, as the Rojillos fall to a last minute winner.

C.D. SAN PEDRO MÁRTIR 2 LANZAROTE 1

For the second consecutive away match Lanzarote concede and lose in added on time leaving them in 10th spot and their hopes for a playoff finish are all but dead with only nine games remaining.

The Rojillos home form has been fantastic with only seven points dropped out of a possible 45 which is only bettered by league leaders S.D. Tenisca, however the away day trips have been more like relegation candidates with just the one win and 10 points gathered from a possible 48.

The first half was evenly balanced with the Rojillos having slightly the better opportunities than the Gran Canarian side. Jotha forced the San Pedro goalkeeper into a good save from a free kick and Alex Yunes struck well but failed to hit the target.

Five minutes into the second half and the home side was in front. Sub Dani Macías centred the ball towards the penalty spot and striker Nacho forced the ball home to give his relegation threatened side a 1-0 advantage.

Moments later and only a fine save from the Lanzarote keeper Ruymán prevented midfielder Molina from doubling his sides lead.
In the 66th minute Vladi was introduced and within a minute the talented midfielder had a devastating impact. The ball was whipped into the San Pedro danger zone and first to pick up the pieces was Vladi who thumped the ball home from eight yards pulling his team level at one apiece.

Lanzarote failed to push on from this and it was the Gran Canarian side that began to pressure the Rojillos back line. In the 75th minute goal scorer Nacho hit the Lanzarote cross bar following good work from team mate Moisés.

In the second minute of added on time youngster José Ancor´s precise pass let in Álex Ventura who fired in his first goal of the season and lifted his side four points clear of the drop zone.

The Rojillos had no time to respond and must be severely wounded from yet another away day catastrophe.

Seven teams are fighting for the last playoff position with the Rojillos being the rank outsiders. Anyone who has seen the Rojillos in action at home this season will be mystified how a quality side like Lanzarote can fail to take points from their away trips.

One thing is certain and that is Lanzarote must win this Sunday´s home watch with in form U.D. Telde. The Gran Canarian side have won their last four games including a 6-1 home win last Saturday.

GOALS
1-0 min 50 Nacho
1-1 min 67 Vladimir
2-1 min 92 Álex Ventura

Canterbury new kit supplier of England Rugby

Thanks to our friends at Sport Business for providing the following post.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU), the governing body of rugby union in England, has recruited sportswear company Canterbury as its new official kit partner in a four-year deal.

Canterbury, now based in Manchester, will replace long-term RFU partner Nike in September 2012 in an agreement that will run until beyond the conclusion of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which will take place in England. Nike’s partnership with the RFU began in 1997.

Canterbury already has a bulging portfolio of national rugby union partnerships in place. The company currently supplies kit to leading rugby nations such as South Africa and Scotland, as well as a host of other smaller national teams and club sides across the globe. Under the terms of the contract, Canterbury will supply kit to the England Senior, Saxons, Sevens, Women’s and age grade representative teams.

Although financial details were not disclosed, the RFU stated that the deal represents the “largest kit partnership in the union’s history, allowing continued investment into all levels of the game which is at the heart of the strategic focus for both organisations”. The previous deal with Nike was reported to be worth £4 million per year and the new deal is believed to be worth somewhere in the region of £5 million per year.

“The partnership with the Rugby Football Union is the perfect combination of two brands steeped in rugby history that rugby fans know and respect,” Canterbury CEO Chris Stephenson said. “We are excited at the prospect of developing this relationship and enhancing the awareness of rugby to a wider audience with the aim of increasing participation levels. With over a century of experience in producing the highest quality playing apparel, designed specifically to maximise performance, we pride ourselves on producing the strongest, most technologically advanced kits available.”

RFU chief commercial officer Sophie Goldschmidt said: “We are delighted about this new partnership with Canterbury. The brand is recognised by players and fans alike and its heritage in rugby is unrivalled. The excellent quality of playing apparel Canterbury is famed for will also ensure the England teams have the best technical kit available to assist them on and off the pitch. This new exciting partnership will allow the Rugby Football Union to further invest in the game.”

Rebel 2: Rebels miss out on dream start.

Super Rugby kicked off last week in Australia. For the second season running we will be following Melbourne Rebels throughout the season in our feature Rebel 2:. Thanks to our friends at Melbourne Rebels for providing the match report. www.melbournerebels.com.au.

The RaboDirect Rebels were unable to make their dream start to the 2012 FxPro Super Rugby season materialise on Friday night, going down 19-35 to the Waratahs in a high-tempo and bruising game at the Stockade.

Their opponents were never likely to give an inch with the disappointment of their own first outing against the Queensland Reds still fresh in the memory, and as hard as the Rebels worked they struggled to find a way through the defence that kept the reigning champions scoreless until the 81st minute in Sydney last week.

Despite a strong early showing in defence, missed tackles were the Rebels’ weakness.
“I think we missed 30 tackles in the first half, and then with only 4 in the second half we were much more competitive,” Head Coach Damien Hill said afterwards.
“It’s pleasing that it’s something that’s within our power to fix, but it’s just a shame it took us that long.”

The game almost started as a nightmare for the Rebels. James O’Connor’s testing high ball was taken cleanly by the Waratahs, who immediately counter-attacked the space left behind the chasing players, but luckily the Rebels’ cover defence was able to shut down the threat on their left flank.

The early stages of the game saw both teams feeling each other out through some nervy tactical kicking. Chasing up well, James O’Connor won a turnover on the Waratahs’ 10m line – the ball was spread to Danny Cipriani, who broke through the middle to win a penalty right in front of the posts as the Waratahs looked to slow down the ball. O’Connor slotted the kick to earn his first points for the Rebels in a Super Rugby match.

While all the pre-game talk was of the Wallaby-filled Waratahs pack putting pressure on the Rebels’ set piece and breakdown, it was the men in dark blue who began forcing their opponents into early mistakes and turnovers. The Rebels pressed hard in defence for phase after phase, constantly knocking their opponents back well behind the gain line, to the delight of the partisan 16,491-strong crowd.

But then from a well-worked lineout move deep in Rebel territory, Sarel Pretorius drifted across the defensive line to hit Tom Carter, whose dangerous angle between Danny Cipriani and James O’Connor saw him slip through the attempted tackles to score under the posts. Daniel Halangahu converted to give the Waratahs a 3-7 lead after 12 minutes.

The Rebels gained good field position from the restart, working the ball through multiple phases and earning another penalty in front of the posts for O’Connor as the Waratahs infringed again at the ruck. He kicked the goal easily, and brought the Rebels back to within a point at 6-7.

The Waratahs began to run the ball from deeper in their own half, but a misdirected pass from Tom Carter gave the Rebels a scrum with good field position just outside their opponents’ 22. Cipriani spread the ball wide to Mitch Inman, who got outside his man and looked inside to find the supporting O’Connor, but the ball just wouldn’t stick.

The Waratahs began to find their rhythm though, and with their big forwards crashing through the Rebels tackles to create quick ball and suck in the defence, the Waratahs backs spread the ball wide with men over and Tom Carter scored his second try in the corner. Halangahu missed the conversion, leaving the score at 6-12.
Halangahu broke through the Rebels defensive line again from the restart, but luckily couldn’t find any support with the Rebels scrambling back. They conceded another penalty however, and former Wallabies Sevens captain Bernard Foley kicked the points to take the lead out to 6-15.

Cipriani was unable to find touch from two penalties that would have given the Rebels a good attacking position, but with the Waratahs returning the favour, Mark Gerrard combined well with winger Cooper Vuna, who smashed through several attempted tackles before being brought down. The ball spilled from the breakdown however, and another Rebels chance slipped away.

Melbourne conceded again when new Waratahs signing Pretorius scampered down the blind side, drawing defenders and creating space for his outside backs, before Sekope Kepu picked up the ball from the back of the ruck and slipped through a tackle to score the Waratahs’ third try on the stroke of half-time. Halangahu added the extras to give his side a 6-22 lead as the players ran into the sheds.

The Waratahs started the second-half with the momentum they had built up in the first - a pass out of the tackle from Pretorius saw Palu burst through the middle, and while some brilliant last-ditch defending from the Rebels held the Waratahs out on their tryline for several phases, eventually Carter linked with fullback Foley, who stretched out to score the bonus point try for his side. Halangahu kicked the conversion to make it 6-29.

Every time the Rebels were able to hold the ball and string some passes together they looked dangerous, but under pressure from a strong Waratahs defence they just couldn’t hold onto the ball to build any sustained pressure. With another penalty going the way of the Waratahs, this time they kicked into the corner to set up a dangerous lineout position. The Rebels defence stood up brilliantly to the attempted rolling maul however, winning a penalty of their own to clear their lines.

James O’Connor showed great speed and footwork to burst out of his own 22, finding his centre partner Mitch Inman in support, and the Rebels were able to win a scrum and good territory. Another pass went astray though, and Adam Ashley-Cooper pounced on the loose ball to grubber through towards the corner and the tryline - only a courageous covering tackle from Vuna stopped the Wallaby utility back scoring his first try in Waratahs colours.

The Rebels began to hold the ball for longer as the second-half wore on, and built up some good pressure with hard work and multiple phases from a rock-solid lineout. But with the Waratahs killing their attacking ball at the breakdown, the Rebels’ only reward was two penalties, both of which O’Connor sent through the posts to bring the score back to 12-29 and keep his team in the hunt. Some of that hard work was quickly undone however, as Halangahu immediately knocked one over for the Waratahs in return, taking their lead out to 12-32.

With their set piece looking solid, and much to joy of their fans, the Rebels opted to push the next penalty they won into the corner. The rolling maul from the lineout weaved its way towards the posts as the crowd roared the Rebels on, and Bryce Lawrence lost patience with the Waratahs for their desperate attempts to kill it, awarding a penalty try and sending Tatafu Polota-Nau to the sin bin in the process. The Rebels and their ever-vocal fans lifted as the deficit decreased to 19-32 following the successful conversion, with just 15 minutes to play against depleted opposition.

Ill-discipline at the breakdown continued to cost the Rebels dearly though, and Halangahu gave the Waratahs further breathing space with another straightforward penalty goal, taking the scoreboard to 19-35. The Waratahs almost crossed the line again minutes later from a well-worked lineout move down the blindside, and a determined covering tackle from tireless captain Gareth Delve was all that stopped the visitors from taking their try tally to five.

The Rebels tried their utmost to cross the whitewash themselves as the clock ticked down, but with the ball being spread wide in the attacking 22 bullocking replacement centre Lloyd Johansson couldn’t hold the ball as he crashed into a defender and the chance was lost. A final threatening break from Waratahs replacement Nathan Trist was snuffed out, and the referee called time on the Rebels first outing of the 2012 Super Rugby season.