'Confident' Rebels to build on first win
The Rebels, who showed incredible strength of character to end a 12-match losing streak and record their first win of the season, are confident they can kick on and avoid last place in the Super Rugby competition this year.
The Rebels, who beat the Western Force 30-29 in another exhilarating game that went right down to the wire in Melbourne on Friday, had not won since their one-point (26-25) squeaker over the Force in Perth on April 2 last year.
The Rebels crafted a dream start, scoring three converted tries in the first quarter, before the Force even got on the scoresheet.
But their opponents didn’t give up, battling their way back into the match and taking a late lead before a thumping penalty from Mark Gerrard gave the Rebels the win against their Aussie rivals.
Captain Gareth Delve explained just how important the win was for the team.
“This will give us a massive amount of confidence,” Delve said.
“In front of a crowd like this, that have stuck with us through thick and thin, really means a lot to us.
“We’ll turn up to training with a big smile on our face compared to last week, and hopefully build on this and go away to New Zealand and give it a good crack.”
The Rebels did it without several injured stars: Wallabies James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale and regular captain Stirling Mortlock.
England flyhalf Cipriani came off with a hamstring injury after scoring his team’s third try midway through the first half.
“Credit to the boys, we stuck at it, we had to dig in, we may have turned off a bit in the second half but to get the win means a lot to us,” the Rebels’ Welsh No.8, Delve, said.
“We are missing a lot of players this week and it’s great to see guys come in this week and really step up and put their bodies on the line.”
