Rebels snap losing streak with away win over Moana Pasifika
Melbourne have ended a three-match Super Rugby Pacific losing run with a 43-33 win in Auckland over a fast finishing but undisciplined Moana Pasifika side.
The home team had three players sin-binned by referee Angus Mabey and were on the wrong end of a 12-2 first-half penalty count that added to their woes.
Strong in the set pieces, the Rebels scored seven tries to five in an entertaining scrap at Mt Smart Stadium between the two lowest teams on the ladder.
All four of Melbourne's first-half tries came while Pasifka were a man down, and their first five-pointer of the second half also came while the hosts were down to 14 men.
Pasifika trailed 38-12 before scoring three tries in the last 20 minutes to get within five points, before winger Monty Ioane crossed for a match-clinching five-pointer.
Early on, the Rebels dominated territory and came close to crossing on at least seven occasions before they did get over the line.
Pasifika flanker Miracle Faiilagi was binned for offside and Melbourne quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage.
Winger Lachie Anderson crossed after taking a cut out pass from Carter Gordon.
Five-eight Gordon and fullback Andrew Kellaway combined to send flanker Josh Kemeny dashing away for their second try.
Pasifika showed what they could do with some possession with winger Neria Fomai going over in the right hand corner following a tap penalty.
But when back within five points, prop Isileli Tu'ungafasi was shown a yellow card.
Gordon shaped to pass but ended up striding through a gap and centre David Feliuai produced a powerful run for the Rebels' fourth try to set up their 24-5 halftime lead.
Front-rower Ezekiel Lindenmuth was shown yellow less than 30 seconds into the second half and Melbourne again made the home team pay.
Replacement prop Pone Fa'amausili pounced on a loose ball near halfway and his smart pass to Alex Mafi sent the hooker scampering almost 50 metres.
Mafi barged over for his second try in the 58th minute after a perfectly executed driving maul following a lineout win.
Pasifika refused to crumble with their superstar centre Levi Aumua crashing over.
Replacement Rebels hooker Jordan Uelese was sin-binned for offside in the 76th and seconds later Fine Inisi crossed, with the same player rounding off a move for his second try with just over a minute left.
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Think we have to accept we have been on the slide for a while now.Still interesting to see the repeated media pieces about the myth of the ABs slipping-I would say slipped past tense.In part don’t we have to give credit for the improvement of other nations particularly Ireland?Isnt that good for the game?Are we beginning to feel the impact of losing the Boks from Super rugby and maybe soon TRC?I would agree we are also ran right now so will be interesting to see how we progress-assuming we do!Isnt that part of sport though to be in improvement mode?Back to the stats though I think the Boks were under 60% leading into 2019?Now with the focus on the RWC does it matter so much what you are doing between tournaments?You just get through your group(remembering the ABs qualified 2nd in 2023)and then you have 3 matches to win the thing.
Go to commentsThe ABs have more than enough back line guys so don’t see issue there. Just the balance at center and feel time for Rieko to sit out.Forwards- balance still not right. Front row ok but miss Codie. But still ok. Locks- you now need to start s a tall timber at middle of lineout- Darry is the right guy. Then move Sititi to 8, move Ardie to 7 and then move Vaai to blindside. He can become the closest to PSdT . Then have proper bench as this is not a demotion but key to dominating last 30 minutes- Patrick, Ofa etc are golden here. Get the balance right between starters and finishers
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