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Andrew Kellaway inspires Rebels to win over the Force
By AAP
Filipo Daugunu scored a double and Andrew Kellaway made an early case to wear the Wallabies fullback jersey with a starring role in Melbourne's rousing 48-34 Super Rugby Pacific victory over Western Force.
Both teams entered Super Round at AAMI Park after first-round losses, with the cash-strapped Rebels also playing for their future off the field.
Melbourne roared home, scoring four tries in the second half to post a morale-boosting win, with star recruit prop Taniela Tupou a big contributor.
The Rebels' line-out was again problematic, losing four in the first half, but their forwards otherwise aimed up after criticism following their first-round performance.
With new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt watching from the stands, the home side trailed 19-24 at halftime but could have been further behind if not for Kellaway's efforts.
He was first on the scoreboard in the eighth minute with a scything run from inside their own half, then closed the margin with his second try seven minutes after the halftime siren.
Kellaway combined with halves James Tuttle and Carter Gordon on the short side off a dominant scrum to dot down.
The Force answered early in the second half, with a Ben Donaldson penalty and then a try by Force back-rower Michael Wells in the 49th minute pushing their lead out to 34-19.
But from there it was all the Rebels, scoring 29 unanswered points.
The substitutes, led by halfback Ryan Louwrens, fired up the troops and Josh Kemeny and Gordon both scored - the latter taking an intercept from a Donaldson pass.
Ex-Reds winger Filipo Daugunu also demonstrated his athleticism to score twice to keep the Force at bay.
"We needed that one, it was scrappy but we will take it, it's certainly a step in the right direction," Kellaway told Stan Sport.
"Our bench was fantastic, they came on and made an immediate impact."
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Latest Comments
As is earning money if you want to play that argument.
But I didn't really hear why from you? People love to say that South Africa is the only one who doesn't have this rule, but really the English, French, and Irish don't really even need the rule (unless it is working), so how is this attitude stopping the game from growing if NZ and Aus are the only real countries where it's enforced? The rugby world needs a dominant All Black side? I'm not sure I buy that!
Club football only reigns supreme by these ideals you have of devaluing the national jersey. FIFA is even more hardline than rugby in regards to international competition, it's there if the players want to make it more important than club, it's just less valued in an individuals mind; ie, your removing of an ideal that one should not sacrifice for their journey. Why wouldn't it change if you alter that?
That sir, is football in a nutshell. With the second, why not just keep each group of players in their own hemisphere and have local competitions in the 6N and RC? FIFA international window.
Well the defacto argument is that those players (ones chosen as being the best, even if overseas) don't perform to the required standard. They managed very well and have jet lag/can't train. This is your point where argued that "well if they don't perform, don't select them", this is why the rule is enforced in a nutshell. While NZ is able to retain a core of players, even if not at the ability of others, they will still perform better in a game of rugby.
Frizell and Mo'unga were not nailed down when they left. Perhaps that is the difference in view points? They both signed to go overseas very early because NZR were happy for them to go at the time, I don't even think Frizell had been offered a contract at that point. Their stocks simply went up after they had decided to leave, hence Razor and the contract crew now trying to offer them what might be a more realistic and competitive option to come back. This reason might be the only actual reason to have some sort of leniency. Ethan Roots, Chandler Cunningham -South, Warner Dearns were offered no contract. If they wanted to put their hand up for selection while performing overseas they should be able to do so, with say three seasons to return?
Go to commentsGrasping at straws. They had a POOR POOR season by their high standards.
I might be wrong, but is there even enough talent coming through the ranks at JUNIOR LEVEL in NZ?
They last won the trophy in 2017.
2024 - Semi Finals
2023 - 7th
2019 - 7th
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