These are the days when all teams are stronger and more focused from the previous year, players and coaches have learned from past errors and applied the required changes, fans are eager to cheer every ball, the season looks bright, the grass is freshly cut and the bodies rusty but not yet sore.
The Melbourne Rebels faced a Manu Samoa selection with a lot of unknown faces and with no team spirit. The final score was the clear result of a one-sided match between a professional team and an amateur one.
The night looked bright for the home team from the very beginning, Adam Thompson caused a penalty and on the subsequent possession the Rebels scored with Reece Hodge criminally free on the left side. Debreczeni, Reid crossed the chalk for a partial score of 38-0.
A disappointing Samoan team wasn’t able to threaten the Rebels line and the only chance they had was a missed penalty kick.
Strong comeback for Tamati Ellison
The second half started with the same register as the first with the Rebels easily over the line in multiple occasions and finished with another try for the Rebels, who made the most of the new rule that gives the opportunity to kick for a line out after the siren.
85-0 the final result.
Considering the limits of the opponents, the Rebels cannot draw too many conclusions from this match, but we have to cite the good display of newcomer kiwi veteran Adam Thompson, and the excellent combinations between Mitch Inmnan and Tamati Ellison. Consistent as usual was the work from the backrowers with Lopeti Timani, Sean McMahon, Jordi Read and super subs Colby Fainga’a and Scott Fluglistaller all in excellent pre-season form.
