Highlanders v Rebels, RD 5 - 28th Feb

[Mr Wobbly]

It was also the first time my son has seen me jump (after Kellaway's 2nd try). He laughed for about 5min.

Was it the jump or the landing that made him laugh?

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Can’t help but feel that first game against the Sunwolves will come to bite us in the bum. Just like Coleman’s refusal to take the 3 against the Jags 2 seasons ago for a draw after 80mins instead of trying for the win, it ended up being the difference to not making the finals. Then the Tahs 2nd half comeback last year, failing to manage an easily won game. Again the difference to making the finals.

I reckon the Sunwolves game was a bit like a golf tournament where there's an easy par 5. All the players in contention are making birdies or eagles and we've shanked our tee shot and carded a 9.

The only way to make that one up is to pick up a win against someone like the Saders or Stormers

 

[Hawko]

I reckon the Sunwolves game was a bit like a golf tournament where there's an easy par 5. All the players in contention are making birdies or eagles and we've shanked our tee shot and carded a 9.

The only way to make that one up is to pick up a win against someone like the Saders or Stormers

Well the Blues just thrashed the Stormers at home, so maybe not impossible.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Well the Blues just thrashed the Stormers at home, so maybe not impossible.

Well we won't have to wait long to find out. Our next four weeks are Lions (H), bye, Sunwolves (H), Stormers (A).

 

[Tex]

So I think the last decade has scarred me. Even when we were two tries up, scoring at a point a minute, I was like 'we're definitely going to lose this match'. Sigh.

Very glad to get the win, even though we kind of fell over the line. Some big moments where experience and decision making under pressure didn't shine through. Kellaway fighting to stay out of touch led to their first try, and DHP's aborted clearing kick under pressure stood out.

I thought Philip was immense, and To'omua showed what you can do with a bit of front foot ball and a 5/8 willing to take the ball to the line, pinning the defence. Meakes was rock solid too. The pub I was at didn't have commentary so I missed what his card was for. Presumably the last in a row of cynical penalties?

 

[oztimmay]

So I think the last decade has scarred me. Even when we were two tries up, scoring at a point a minute, I was like 'we're definitely going to lose this match'. Sigh.

Very glad to get the win, even though we kind of fell over the line. Some big moments where experience and decision making under pressure didn't shine through. Kellaway fighting to stay out of touch led to their first try, and DHP's aborted clearing kick under pressure stood out.

I thought Philip was immense, and To'omua showed what you can do with a bit of front foot ball and a 5/8 willing to take the ball to the line, pinning the defence. Meakes was rock solid too. The pub I was at didn't have commentary so I missed what his card was for. Presumably the last in a row of cynical penalties?

Yes. We probably should have earned another one.

 

[Strewthcobber]

. The pub I was at didn't have commentary so I missed what his card was for. Presumably the last in a row of cynical penalties?

Yeah, he was way offside from the lineout a couple of phases before the card, ref was playing advantage.
Came on the back of 3 or 4 penalty advantages that the ref warned the Rebels about when the Highlanders scored the previous try

 

[Tex]

Ok. Yeah it all got a bit ropey towards the end there. Felt like we were on roller skates when all we needed to do was pin them back in their 22 and fight for possession.

 

[swingpass]

composure is not word associated with the Rebels performances, neither players nor supporters.

 

[Up the Guts]

• Kellaway's two tries were both quite opportunistic, but he still had a lot of work to do. Great finisher and still looks to have his pace. Opportunities are given to both teams each game and we (Rebels/Wallabies) often completely fluff it.

The angles Kellaway ran to finish those tries were absolutely top class. Not often you see that sort of rugby intelligence from an Australian winger.

 

[Ballboy]

Great and historic win , but without wanting to be dismal dora , Rebels could have done a lot better , just scraped in with two intercepts ,, the amount of ball we dropped and mostly in their 22 and some of the penalties were terrible ,, Koriobete seems prone to give away penalties recently ,, the one where he dived on the ruck from the side right in front of the ref was really bad , Wessells should have hooked him for that , the good news is that can all be fixed with some discipline, promising signs in defence and the back line seems to be going straighter with success. what about the energy from Meeks , Rangi , Phillip and others , very good

 

[Bobby Sands]

The angles Kellaway ran to finish those tries were absolutely top class. Not often you see that sort of rugby intelligence from an Australian winger.

It’s so clear to me that Kellaway has absurd rugby IQ. To be honest, he is growing in confidence faster than I expected and this is just the season he needs. Could be a seriously top flight winger, and the type of winger I really appreciate.

 

[Tex]

I marked him hard when he fought to stay out of touch, allowing the rampaging Highlanders chasers to blow over the ruck and two passes later, cross in the corner.

With the clarity of hindsight it would have been better to take it into touch.

Regardless, I'm glad he's back in Australia and pushing players out of the team. I'd take him over Hodge any day.

 

[Bobby Sands]

Australian rugby lacks genuine rugby players, and has for a long time.

Good to see a natural.

 

[KevinO]

Just watched the video of the leg break again,

You see Billy Meakes yells and signals for the Rebels medical staff to get out there as well. Wasted no time at all which is good to see.

Don't know how many times I will continue to watch the highlights this week.

Wish NZ teams posted the press conferences online as well.

 

[Braveheart81]

Just watched the video of the leg break again,

Why would you do that?

 

[Tex]

My thoughts exactly. I missed the incident live but my brother brought my attention to it. Awful stuff.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I'm the opposite in that I don't want to see a serious injury more than once. The second I knew he was in trouble I fast forwarded through the replay.

 

[KevinO]

Why would you do that?

Cause I missed it during the game and did not rewind at the time.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

I'm the opposite in that I don't want to see a serious injury more than once. The second I knew he was in trouble I fast forwarded through the replay.

I've done the same injury and I only looked at it once. Wish I could have fast forwarded the next 12mths of rehab.