Waratahs bring Rebels back down to earth
A week after a demoralising loss to the Jaguares in Argentina, the Waratahs came from 3-20 down in the first half to demolish the previously unbeaten Rebels.
The bonus point win gets the Waratahs' season back on track after a draw and a loss in their last two matches.
It also halted the Rebels' momentum following their superb start to the season with three bonus-point victories.
The Waratahs' resurgence was built on the use of the high ball to Israel Folau and Curtis Rona on the wings, with the Rebels unable to cope with the aerial bombardment.
"We were put under a lot of pressure in the first half," captain Michael Hooper said.
"We let in some easy tries but we knew something was building and that was our focus at half-time – to come out and see what we could do under the high ball."
The Rebels went into the match with all the momentum and started much better than their hosts.
Melbourne centre Tom English crossed in the fifth minute after Kurtley Beale dropped the ball on his own line.
Bernard Foley got the home side on the board with a penalty but Melbourne then took control and skipped away to a 20-3 lead thanks to tries by Japanese international Amanaki Mafi and rising star Jack Maddocks.
Waratahs centre Lalakai Foketi scored against the run of play right on half-time to make it 20-10 at the break.
But nobody could have predicted what was to come in the second half as the Waratahs ran in four tries in 16 minutes.
Rob Simmons, Mitch Short, Bryce Hegarty and replacement wing Taqele Naiyaravoro all scored as the home side raced out to a 41-20 lead.
The Rebels got one back when lock Matt Philip touched down under the posts, but a Foley penalty and Naiyaravoro's second right on full-time brought up the half century.
"I think the Waratahs really capitalised on our mistakes," Melbourne captain Adam Coleman said.
"They really plugged the corners well and turned us around and unfortunately we couldn't swing the momentum in the second half."
The Rebels play the Sharks at home on Friday.
"The most pleasing thing is we're going home and going to play in front of our home fans," Coleman said.
"We're going straight home now so we'll be home early and hopefully we'll recover well."
The Waratahs have a bye next weekend.
The scorers:
For Waratahs:
Tries: Naiyaravoro 2, Simmons, Short, Foketi, Hegarty
Cons: Foley 6
Pens: Foley 3
For Rebels:
Tries: Philip, Mafi, English, Maddocks
Cons: Hodge 2
Pen: Hodge
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Curtis Rona, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Mitch Short, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Michael Wells, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Ned Hanigan, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Tom Staniforth, 20 Will Miller, 21 Mick Snowden, 22 Alex Newsome, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Ross Haylett-Petty, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Adam Coleman (captain), 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Colby Fainga’a, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Billy Meakes, 23 Sefa Naivalu.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Federico Anselmi (Argentina), Graham Cooper (Australia)
TMO: Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
AFP
