Force's late surge floors Rebels
MATCH REPORT: Western Force have ground out an ugly 16-15 win over Melbourne Rebels to keep alive their hopes of a Super Rugby AU finals berth.
The Force hit the front for the first time in the 77th minute, with Domingo Miotti converting a Tim Anstee try to break the hearts of Rebels fans at AAMI Park on Friday.
The unbeaten Queensland Reds and the Brumbies, who duel in Brisbane on Saturday, already have the top two spots sewn up with the Rebels and Force bidding for the remaining spot.
On the back of the arm-wrestle victory the Western Force moved level with the Rebels with two rounds remaining.
Third place travel to play second, while the team that finishes top hosts the winner of that play-off in the grand final.
The Rebels completely dominated possession and territory but couldn’t manage a try, with the Force mauling the ball across after a five-metre lineout for their sole five-pointer.
It was a brave defensive performance by the Force, who were on the back foot for much of the match.
They also managed with 14 men for 10 minutes after Force flank Kane Koteka was yellow-carded after repeated team infringements
Left shell-shocked last week by the Reds’ fast start, the Rebels began well when Reece Hodge booted a penalty from inside his own half in the second minute.
Matt Toomua kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Rebels with penalties for a 12-6 halftime lead, and that went out to 15-9 after 62 minutes, but he was forced off with a head knock three minutes later.
The lead wasn’t enough to hold off the visitors, who refused to lay down.
The Force had their own injury concern with wing Byron Ralston knocked out cold after his head hit the hip of Melbourne centre Lewis Holland.
Play stopped for 10 minutes while he was assessed by medics and stretchered off, although reports were that he was able to remain at AAMI Park.
The scorers:
For Melbourne Rebels:
Pens: To’omua 4, Hodge
For Western Force:
Try: Anstee
Con: Miotti
Pens: Miotti 3
Teams:
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Frank Lomani, 13 Stacey Ili, 12 Lewis Holland, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt Toomua (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Robert Leota, 3 Pone Fa’amausili, 2 James Hanson, 1 Cabous Eloff.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Steven Cummins, 20 Brad Wilkin, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Tom Pincus, 23 Jeral Skelton.
Western Force: 15 Jack McGregor, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin (captain), 11 Jordan Olowofela, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Tomás Lezana, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements – from: Andrew Ready, Jack Winchester, Angus Wagner, Kieran Longbottom, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Brynard Stander, Ian Prior, Grason Makara, Richard Kahui.
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant referees: Amy Perrett, James Quinn
TMO: James Leckie
