1
Force hopes dented as Rebels post their biggest-ever home score
By AAP
Melbourne have put a major dent in the Western Force's Super Rugby Pacific finals aspirations and farewelled Rebels stalwart Reece Hodge from AAMI Park as a winner with a thumping 52-14 victory.
The loss wasn't the only damage to the Force's play-off hopes, with the WA club relegated to ninth by Queensland's last-gasp loss to the Highlanders earlier on Friday night.
They were unable to pick up a point in the eight tries to two romp, while the Rebels, who will require a miracle in the last round to make the finals, at least gave their fans something to cheer about with the bonus-point victory.
The match was the last at home for France-bound centre Hodge, who overtook Tom English as the most-capped Melbourne player with 99.
The 28-year-old was unable to get amongst the try-scoring action, with five of the Rebels' forwards – Brad Wilkin, Sam Talakai, Josh Kemeny, Richard Hardwick and Vaiolini Ekuasi – sharing some of the spoils.
Melbourne set up the win with their go-forward and dominance at the set-piece and breakdown. The rest of the tries were scored by Ryan Louwrens, Lachie Anderson and Nick Jooste in Melbourne's biggest-ever score posted at AAMI Park.
Five-eighth Carter Gordon, who missed last week's loss to the Highlanders with a knee injury, and veteran half-back Louwrens combined to spark the relentless Rebels attack. Bullocking centre Sam Spink scored a try in each half for the Force – intercepting a Gordon pass for his second.
But it was otherwise a disappointing performance to follow their breakthrough win over the Brumbies last time out. Currently 10th, the Rebels take on the third-placed Brumbies in Canberra in the final round. The Force will need to beat the ladder-leading Chiefs in Perth to force their way back into finals contention.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
'Chaos': Lawes sheds light on the social that ended 2 England careers
3
How much Toulon are paying new signing Antoine Frisch
4
Ex-Ireland wing brands Six Nations champs 'not that good'
5
Latest Comments
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
Go to comments