VIDEO: Rebels down Reds in 'grudge match'
MATCH REPORT: Rebels move to the top of the Australian conference with a 32-13 win over the Reds at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Playmaker Quade Cooper has enjoyed a victorious return with a leading role in the Rebels’ dominant Super Rugby win over Queensland Reds.
In his first Super Rugby match against the Reds since his acrimonious departure, Cooper set up two tries during Saturday’s victory.
The win lifts Melbourne to the top of the Australian conference following the Waratahs shock loss to the Sunwolves on Friday.
Cooper made an instant impact against his old team by slotting a penalty after just two minutes.
The Rebels dominated territory and possession in the game’s opening half but the two teams traded penalties for a 6-all scoreline nearing the break.
With the halftime siren looming, a pinpoint cross-field kick by Cooper allowed Jack Maddocks to outjump Hamish Stewart and give the Rebels an 11-6 advantage.
After the break, the Rebels capitalised on an early Reds penalty to again hold the territory advantage with Anaru Rangi peeling off the back of a maul to score.
Another Reds error, this time a dropped ball led to a third try for the Rebels in the 47th minute.
Cooper pounced on the loose ball near the halfway line, twice soccering through before Maddocks won the race to extend the lead to 25-6.
The home team thought they’d got one back when Brandon Paenga-Amosa crashed over from close range but a TMO review after the try had been awarded detected a knock-on by Reds halfback Tate McDermott.
The Reds did eventually get a try when Taniela Tupou scored late in the game but the scoring wasn’t done with Rebels substitute Rob Leota capping a 15-phase move to score in the final minute and secure a bonus point.
Fittingly Cooper ended the action with a conversion, giving him a personal points haul of 12 with two penalties and three conversions.
Melbourne host the Sunwolves next week while the Reds are at home against the Stormers.
The scorers:
For Reds:
Try: Sio
Con: Hegarty
Pens: Hegarty 2
For Rebels:
Tries: Maddocks 2, Rangi, Leota
Cons: Cooper 3
Pens: Cooper 2
Man of the match: Jack Maddocks had an amazing game for the Rebels, while Will Genia was also very influential in commanding his pack. However our nod goes to Quade Cooper. The Rebels flyhalf remained calm and set up two of his team’s tries.
Teams:
Reds: 15 Hamish Stewart, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Isaac Lucas
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Angus Cottrell (captain), 6 Luke Jones, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Esei Ha’angana, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Campbell Magnay, 23 Sione Tuipulotu.
Referee: AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Nicholas Berry (Australia), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)
AAP
