Historic golden-point extra-time fails to separate the Rebels and the Reds
The Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels have played out an 18-18 draw in professional rugby's historic first golden-point extra-time finish in the new Super Rugby AU tournament.
A last-minute try to Reds replacement Alex Mafi, followed by James O'Connor's coolly slotted conversion after the Super Rugby siren, forced the all-Australian contest into overtime on Friday night.
Fittingly, Sydney's Brookvale Oval, Manly's NRL base, was the setting for the very rugby league-like scoreline after Victoria's second wave of coronavirus forced Melbourne's "home" match to be played interstate.
But the two sides were booed off the park by sections of the crowd after neither was able to nail victory. Reds full-back Bryce Hegarty narrowly missed a monster penalty goal effort from halfway on the stroke of 'super time' half-time.
Despite not bagging the full points, the draw eased the pressure somewhat on under-fire Rebels coach Dave Wessels.
Former Wallaby and ex-Melbourne attack coach Morgan Turinui claimed during the week the South African was no longer the man to guide the Rebels following a lacklustre loss to the Brumbies in last week's competition opener.
Wessels had every reason to think his Rebels had done enough to secure victory over the Reds when they led by ten points with five minutes remaining following an intercept try to Billy Meakes.
But an O'Connor penalty goal in the 75th minute - after he had thrown the errant pass to Meakes - and Alex Mafi's last-gasp strike proved a killer for the Rebels.
The exciting finish was in stark contrast to a dour first half played in mostly driving rain. The Rebels opened the scoring with a penalty to five-eighth Matt Toomua in the eighth minute.
Bizarrely, given the wet conditions, the Rebels turned down another gift three points shortly after, declining a shot from in front of the posts only for Toomua to then attempt a long-range field goal from a returning lineout a minute later. They still went to the break with a 6-0 lead after Toomua landed a second penalty.
Wallabies and Reds legend John Eales was in the house and he finally had something to cheer about when O'Connor put Filipo Daugunu over in the left corner with a lovely long ball to the winger. O'Connor then gave the Reds the lead for the first time with a 42-metre penalty.
It didn't last long, though, with Wallabies star Reece Hodge, after surprisingly starting on the bench, sliding over for the Rebels' second try in the 55th minute.
REBELS 18 (Reece Hodge, Bill Meakes tries, Matt To'omua con 2 pens)
QUEENSLAND REDS 18 (Filipo Daugunu, Alex Mafi tries, James O'Connor con 2 pens)
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He doesn't generally do it at all, for anybody, so don't say too much the next one could be just as positive about the Springboks if you don't get carried away!
He also pointed out the "no killer instinct" narrative that they simply weren't good enough. Do yo disagree that SA were that great against NZ?
Readying the article I didn't even see that as a dig towards SA SF, simply an exciting take on how close the ABs really are again to those at the top. I feel it is more you that is taking away from this enjoyment with you replay that is largely based on a lot of old resentment.
Just enjoy how good the rugby is and that NZ is back baby!
Go to commentsAttack coach? What "attack"? All I saw was headless chooks pinballing around the paddock. This whole coaching group needs a shake-down. The BFs have regressed at pace since the Prof & Cronnie days.
We have immense talent, some of the best in world rugby, but it's wasted on this coaching group. I put Bunting in the same loser category as Penney & Foster. At this point in time, success at RWC2025 seems a longshot!?!
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