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Rebels Super forwards cleared of serious injuries
By AAP
Beaten up by the Blues in their Super Rugby Pacific match, Melbourne received welcome news with some key forwards cleared of serious injury.
The Rebels led the Blues 17-13 at halftime at AAMI Park before the visitors piled on seven unanswered second half tries to run away with a thumping 54-17 victory.
Melbourne's cause wasn't helped by losing two hookers - Alex Mafi (finger) and Jordan Uelese (knee) as well as lineout-calling lock Trevor Hosea (knee) in the first half.
Test prop Pone Fa'amausili was assisted from the field too but it was due to cramping rather than a calf injury as initially feared.
A third hooker, Anaru Rangi, has also been battling a calf injury that ruled him out of selection for the Blues match.
Uelese, who was named in the Wallabies squad that will meet on the Gold Coast next Sunday, has a history of knee trouble while Hosea missed all of last year with a foot issue.
But the Rebels said on Monday the pair were expecte d to be available for their next Super clash, against the Crusaders, which follows this week's bye.
A club spokesman said the knees of both players were structurally stable, with the injuries determined to be severe corks.
Mafi's finger was a dislocation that pierced the skin but he too should be fit for their round eight clash.
Shell-shocked skipper Brad Wilkin said Melbourne's second half fade was inexcusable and they would need to lift against the fourth-placed Crusaders, who are the reigning champions.
"We have to be tougher," said flanker Wilkin, who was also included in the Wallabies squad.
"A game of rugby isn't going to be perfect and things are going to go against you but I think we could have been a bit tougher, sticking in the fight when it gets a bit tough and showing a bit of character.
"We did it in patches and some guys were showing it but we need a collective buy-in."
Despite the disappointing result, Rebels coach Kevin Foote lauded his captain, who has stepped in with Rob Leota sidelined after a ruptured Achilles.
"Brad's awesome - he's come through a big injury history and to see him get named in the Wallabies is awesome," Foote said.
"I'm really proud of him as he deserves this. He's going to go really well in gold."
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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