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'It's not acceptable - we've got to figure out why and we've got to change it'
By AAP
After blowing a second successive Super Rugby AU victory, Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels has declared his team's failure to close out games "unacceptable".
A week after missing a post-80 minute kick to beat the Queensland Reds and falling to a 23-21 loss, the Rebels suffered more heart-break against the Brumbies on Saturday night in Canberra.
Reserve halfback Ryan Lonergan booted the biggest kick of his career, literally and figuratively, with a 60m special from the sideline in the 83rd minute for the home side to snaffle a 27-24 victory.
There was plenty to like about the Rebels - their intensity at the breakdown put the Brumbies on the back foot, with the frustration evident in their starting halfback, Wallabies veteran Nic White.
But their failure to convert serious pressure into a try, and faltering finish as they gave up successive penalties left Wessels seething.
"I think we can be tougher on each other than we have been - we dominated most parts of that game and we should have won," Wessels said.
"It's not acceptable - we've got to figure out why and we've got to change it.
"We're going to attack it in the right way and take the next step this week."
Skipper Matt Toomua, who was responsible for all of his team's points with eight penalties from eight attempts, couldn't help but applaud the winning kick from the rookie Brumbies No.9.
He was more upbeat than Wessels.
"It was pretty clutch from Ryan - you've got to tip your hat to that, it's a fair old kick but the game is longer than that last kick," Toomua said.
'I'm pretty disappointed as a leader of the team not to close that out but there's plenty to like so the key for us is to take the positives and the lessons.
"We're not far away and once we get the momentum and get back to stadium, our home, our fans, we'll be hard to beat."
The Rebels have flown to Perth to meet the Western Force, who banked their first Super Rugby win since 2017 with Frid ay night's victory over the NSW Waratahs.
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Latest Comments
Only stole from a bank, hardly a crime.
Go to commentsBen Smith. My Man! So glad this is only "opinion piece". I was Reading the headline and straight away assumed you meant a 2 horse race between Pieter and Cheslin. There was no way you you meant Caelan.
Cheslin is not only the most exciting winger of this generation, but also a multi disciplined performer, Defence, Lineouts, Conversions and scrumming. LOL. He can do it all. He can put players twice his size on there rear ends and side step at full pace around on coming traffic on a penny.
I will also note that there has been since 2009 till 2017 only NZ winners bar the great one Thierry Dusautoir for France in 2011. And this was because they were the best team in the world winning back to back world cups, also having the best players at that time nominated. Never before has there been more than 2 players from the same country nominated for the award, but this year there was 3 from SA. All Dbl World Cup winning Players.
No one has been so put out about who was nominated in earlier awards, but for some reason you are.
I am thankful that its not up to you to decide on the "token" choices. (Rather lets not use that language again). The world chose the players and lets leave it there.
I don't Blame Rugby Pass for allowing this to print, but there should have been some profound editing on this.
Thanks for your opinion, But maybe lets keep it that just yours not anyone else's.
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