Brumbies claim Melbourne scrap
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The Brumbies scored the only two tries of the game to beat the Rebels 20-15 in a wet Melbourne on Saturday.
In a scrappy game without many highlights the conditions had the biggest say after half-time as the Brumbies ground it out against a determined Rebels side who claimed a bonus point for their efforts.
The Canberra-based team had less possession and territory but seized on the Rebels' errors to keep in front of the home side.
They spent just 14 seconds in Melbourne's attacking quarter in the first half and still managed to lead 13-6 at half-time thanks to a 20th-minute try by Wallaby centre Tevita Kuridrani with a move off a line-out.
The Rebels were still in the match in the final 10 minutes and recycled the ball for 17 phases after the fulltime siren, but were unable to get across the tryline and instead earned a penalty.
The thrilling finale ended when they turned the ball over in the next play.
The Rebels put the Brumbies' defence under pressure early on, but weren't able to capitalise.
Rebels wing Tom English was over the line but was called back after an earlier knock-on and then lock Luke Jones was held up over the tryline.
The Rebels closed the gap early in the second half to 13-9 through a penalty by Mike Harris.
However they lost Wallaby loose forward Scott Higginbotham to a yellow card for collapsing a maul. The skipper had been warned by referee Steve Walsh in the first half to "sort your penalties out".
Straight after Higginbotham left the field, Brumbies flank Jarrad Butler scored at the back of a rolling maul.
Butler almost got another try six minutes later in an identical move, but it was ruled he had dropped the ball across the line.
The visitors were reduced to 14 in the final stages when Sam Carter was sent to the sin bin, which gave the Rebels a chance to salvage a bonus point which they took gratefully.
Man of the match: There was plenty of hard work done by both forward packs, but most impressive was Brumbies centre Tevita Kuridrani who made a big impact on attack and defence.
The scorers:
For Melbourne Rebels:
Pens: Harris 5
For Brumbies:
Tries: Kuridrani, Butler
Cons: Lealiifano 2
Pens: Lealiifano 2
Yellow cards: Scott Higginbotham (Rebels, 57 mins – Collapsing maul) Sam Carter (Brumbies, 74 mins – Repeated infringements)
Teams:
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Mike Harris, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Colby Fainga'a, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Scott Fuglistaller, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Sefanaia Naivalu.
Brumbies: 15 Robbie Coleman, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 JP Smith, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Jordan Smiler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 James Dargaville, 23 Jesse Mogg.
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Ed Martin (Australia)
TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)
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