Rebels hold off rampant Chiefs
Comments
0
The Rebels pulled off one of their greatest victories with a tenacious 16-15 win over two-time champions, the Chiefs, in Melbourne on Saturday.
The Rebels dug deep to repel the Chiefs in a mighty second half performance after leading 16-3 at half time.
It was the first time in four encounters that the Rebels had beaten the Chiefs, who dropped five points behind the Hurricanes in the New Zealand conference.
Both teams scored two tries each, but it was flyhalf Jack Debreczeni's two penalty goals, that edged the Rebels home in a titanic struggle.
The Chiefs made it hard for themselves with some ill-discipline leading to yellow cards for wing James Lowe and skipper Liam Messam in both halves.
It was another eye-catching performance by the improving Rebels, who lie third in the Australian conference eight points behind leaders Brumbies.
Debreczeni kicked a penalty goal in the sixth minute, preceding a try in the corner by skipper Scott Higginbotham after pressure on the Chiefs' try-line.
Andrew Horrell reduced the gap with a penalty for the Chiefs before a big turning point when the Chiefs had a try by wing Tim Nanai-Williams disallowed by referee Andrew Lees who spotted Lowe lashing out at Rebels centre Tamati Ellison in the lead-up.
Debreczeni kicked the penalty and scrumhalf Nic Stirzaker got the benefit of an obstruction call to score for the Rebels nearing halftime.
The Chiefs dominated possession in the second half and scored tries by centre Charlie Ngatai and No.8 Michael Leitch to trail by a point heading into the final 10 minutes after Damian McKenzie's conversion attempt of Leitch's try hit an upright.
But the Rebels were able to keep play in the Chiefs quarter through a series of penalties and further aided by Messam's yellow card for making an indirect entry into Melbourne's driving maul near Waikato's try-line.
Man of the match: The Chiefs backs looked dangerous, despite the Rebels defiant defence. Sonny Bill Williams and Charlie Ngatai looked really good together in the midfield, as did Tim Nanai-Williams. For the Rebels, it was a captains innings from Scott Higginbotham that earns him the award.
Scorers:
For the Rebels:
Tries: Higginbotham, Stirzaker
Pens: Debreczeni 2
For the Chiefs:
Try: Ngatai, Leitch
Con: McKenzie
Pen: Horrell
Yellow Cards: James Lowe (Chiefs, 34 – dangerous play, kicking out at a player) Liam Messam (Chiefs, 74 – repeated infringements, offsides at the maul)
Teams:
Rebels: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Sefanaia Naivalu, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Jordy Reid, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Tom Sexton, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Tim Metcher, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Colby Fainga'a, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Tom English, 23 Telusa Veainu.
Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe, 10 Andrew Horrell, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam (captain), 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Jamie Mackintosh, 19 Michael Allardice, 20 Johan Bardoul, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Bryce Heem.
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: Ian Smith (Australia)
ADVERTISEMENT
