Reds rout rabble Rebels
The Reds finally moved off the bottom of the Super Rugby table, with a 46-29 rout of a very poor Rebels side in Brisbane on Friday.
The win, a stunning turnaround, ended a tumultuous week that saw former Wallaby coach John Connolly come on board, in an 'advisory capacity', in Brisbane.
Going behind 6-17 by the half-hour mark, the Reds then scored 40 unanswered points – including six sublime tries – to secure the win.
The Rebels bounced back with two consolation tries in the final 10 minutes to salvage a four-try bonus point.
The turnaround came after the Queensland-based franchise was smashed 58-17 by the Crusaders last week.
It was a huge tonic for the Reds and their beleaguered coach Richard Graham.
The Rebels looked set for a third straight win when wing Sefanaia Naivalu scored two runaway tries to set up an 11-point lead after 36 minutes.
But on the back of a dominant forward pack, the Reds hit back to lead 46-17 in a one-sided 32-minute spell to claim victory, supplemented by a scoring bonus point.
Wing Lachie Turner scored two tries with others going to Rob Simmons, debutant flyhalf Jake McIntyre, Chris Feauai-Sautia and impressive openside flank Liam Gill.
Fullback James O'Connor cashed in with five conversions and two penalty-goals for a 16-point haul.
The Rebels crossed for two late consolation tries when the contest was all over to claim a four-try bonus point.
"We had a massive effort and emphasis on winning the collisions and really turning up in defence," Reds skipper James Slipper said.
"I thought we did that, but we still have a bit of improvement to go.
"It was about looking at everyone's backyard first before we started pointing any fingers and everyone was given a responsibility to make sure they were doing the absolute best job they could do."
Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham said his team didn't have the ball for long periods in the second half and paid the price.
"That's what the good sides can do and turn those tables, they can stop the force of momentum and turn it to their own advantage and we didn't do that," he said.
The Reds are at home again next weekend against South Africa's Sharks, while the Rebels begin their South African tour against the Stormers in Cape Town.
Man of the match: Sefanaia Naivalu got two tries, Scott Higginbotham worked hard and Luke Jones was rewarded for his hard work with the bonus-point try. James O'Connor enjoyed the freedom of playing at fullback, Lachie Turner got a brace, Will Genia had his best game of the season and James Horwill is also beginning to find some decent form. However, our award goes to Reds flank Liam Gill, who made plenty of tackles, had 14 carries and effected a number of crucial turnovers.
The scorers:
For the Reds:
Tries: Simmons, McIntyre, Turner 2, Feauai-Sautia, Gill
Cons: O'Connor 5
Pens: O'Connor 2
For the Rebels:
Tries: Naivalu 2, Shipperley, Jones
Cons: Harris 3
Pen: Harris
Yellow card: Jack Debreczeni (Rebels, 53 – repeated infringements, killing the ball)
Teams:
Reds: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Karmichael Hunt, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Pettowa Paraka, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Lolo Fakaosilea, 21 Nick Frisby/Scott Gale, 22 Sam Greene, 23 Ben Tapuai.
Rebels: 15 Mike Harris, 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 Laurie Weeks, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Colby Fainga'a, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Tom English.
Referee: Andrew Lees
Assistant referee: James Leckie, Michael Hogan
TMO: Ian Smith
