Melbourne Rebels defeat Western Force despite red card and stadium light drama
A 14-man Melbourne Rebels have dug deep to post a gutsy 10-7 win over the Western Force in a drama-filled Super Rugby AU match in Perth.
The Rebels shot out to a 10-0 lead in the 62nd minute of Friday night's match when a sizzling run from Marika Koroibete set up a try for scrumhalf Joe Powell.
But the game took a turn in the 69th minute when the Force scored a try through substitute Jack McGregor and Rebels lock Ross Haylett-Petty was red-carded for his action in the lead-up.
Haylett-Petty struck Force substitute Tomas Lezana in the head with his shoulder as he went in to tackle.
There was more drama when the lights at HBF Park went out in the 74th minute - just as the two teams were about to pack down for a scrum near the Force's try line - halting the game for 10 minutes.
The Rebels were forced to defend grimly for the rest of the match, and they hung tough under intense pressure - and also won a penalty on the Force's scrum feed in the final minute - to seal their first win of the season.
"I've never been involved in a game where the lights cut out, a red card - what a game," Rebels flyhalf Matt To'omua told Channel 9.
"Three away games to start the year is tough, so for us to get the win is huge."
The Force were sloppy in the first half, committing a host of errors and losing three key lineouts to hand the Rebels field position time and again in front of 7762 fans.
Force flyhalf Jake McIntyre missed a penalty in the 20th minute and then failed to find touch with a penalty kick four minutes later.
Rebels hooker James Hanson almost scored a try in the 25th minute, only for the ball to squeeze out as he was being tackled over the try line.
But the Rebels were on the board a minute later when they put the Force under the pump for six phases before swinging it wide for winger Lachlan Anderson to cross.
The Force had just 17 per cent territory and 28 per cent possession in the first half.
McIntyre's kicking woes continued early in the second half when his attempted kick for touch from a penalty sailed over the try line.
Star Force fullback Rob Kearney also failed to find touch with a penalty kick.
The Force were given a reprieve when To'omua hit the post with a tricky penalty kick in the 53rd minute.
But there was no stopping Koroibete's run, which sliced open the Force's defence for Powell to touch down in the corner.
The Force lifted a gear after that, and a series of deft passes in the 69th minute found its way to McGregor to score.
Force captain Ian Prior nailed the conversion from the sideline to make it 10-7.
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Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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