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Jackal lingers over series win
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Crisis hit Melbourne Rebels romp home against Fijian Drua
By AAP
Melbourne have roared home in the second half to secure a rousing 41-20 victory over Fijian Drua to keep their first Super Rugby Pacific finals berth in sight.
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The Rebels trailed 20-15 at halftime at AAMI Park on Friday night, but with star five-eighth Carter Gordon calling the shots they scored two tries in the space of four minutes to swing the momentum their way.
The six-try bonus-point victory sent the Rebels up the ladder into rare air in fourth spot.
Looking to peg back the five-point halftime deficit, winger Glen Vaihu collected a long cut-out pass from Gordon to cross before flanker Maciu Nabolakasi came up trumps after a rolling maul.
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Vaihu added his second after 53 minutes to push the lead out to 34-20.
When the Drua lost former Rebels halfback Frank Lomani for a deliberate foul when he elbowed the head of lock Josh Canham soon after, the visitors’ fate appeared sealed.
Melbourne went hunting a bonus point and with Gordon putting on some big hits in defence and a huge shift by star prop Taniela Tupou off the bench, the Rebels extended their lead.
Gordon fired a pass out to Filipo Daugunu, who had moved out from the centres to the wing, and he slipped – which wrong-footed the defence – before scooting down the sideline to touch down.
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The Fijians, who had won their last two matches, grew frustrated and Jone Koroiduadua joined Lomani on the bench when he was red-carded after attempting to head-butt Rebels hooker Alex Mafi.
Melbourne face the Highlanders next Saturday night at AAMI Park, looking for their third win on the trot.
