Rebels hammer baffled Sharks
The defeat is the Sharks' second consecutive loss on their Australasia tour this season. Thus far, The Sharks have only managed to produce a solitary win – which was a 50-12 win over the Sunwolves in Round Four.
In Melbourne, the Sharks were outplayed from the start and only managed to score two tries in contrast to Rebels' six.
The Rebels wilted in searing temperatures in Sydney five days ago, as they let slip a 20-3 to lose 51-27 against the Waratahs.
But there was no second-half fade-out against the Sharks, as the Rebels registered their biggest winning margin and collect their fourth bonus point win of the season.
Not only did the 32-point win extend the Rebels lead in the Australian conference, but it also lifted the Melbourne side above the Lions on top of the standings.
Melbourne were in the early ascendancy and led 15-7 at halftime as the Sharks lost fullback Curwin Bosch to a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown to deny the Rebels a try.
But the Sharks held firm while Bosch was off the field and scored a try after some excellent support play set up winger Lwazi Mvovo to barrel over.
Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia darted over from the back of a ruck to initiate a run of second-half tries for the Rebels
Centre Billy Meakes, lock Ross Haylett-Petty and reserve prop Fereti Sa'aga added further tries, while centre Marius Louw scored a consolation try for the Sharks, who finish win-less in their Australian tour.
Man of the match: Jack Maddocks' explosive runs from his won 22 were impressive. However, our nod goes to Rebels No.8 Amanaki Mafi for his explosive breaks and impressive work at the breakdown set the tome for his side's win.
The scores:
For Rebels:
Tries: Rangi 2, Genia, Meakes, Haylett-Petty, Sa’aga
Cons: Hodge, Debreczeni 4
Pens: Hodge, Debreczeni
For Sharks:
Tries: Mvovo, Louw
Cons: R. Du Preez, Bosch
Yellow cards: Curwin Bosch (Sharks, 17 – Deliberate Knock-on), Jack Maddocks (Rebels, 72 – Deliberate knock-on)
Teams:
Rebels: 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman (captain), 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Fereti Sa’aga, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Ross Haylett-Petty, 21 Richard Hardwick, 22 Michael Ruru, 22 Tom English.
Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Rob du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Lubabalo Mtembu, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Jacques Vermeulen, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Armand van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Jacobus van Wyk, 23 Garth April.
Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
Assistant referees: Nicholas Berry (Australia), Damon Murphy (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
Agence France-Presse & rugby365com
