The Rebels have claimed a tough 13-8 win over the Brumbies for their first ever win in Canberra. The win was built on tough defence, especially around the maul, and also a strong scrum platform against a side with a number of new players involved.
The win snaps an 11 game winning streak for the Brumbies at home and they will be disappointed they couldn’t get a crucial win that now has the Australian conference for the taking with the Brumbies lead now just three points.
The Match
Despite the wet conditions, the Rebels appeared to show no ill-effects from the bye and were prepared to spread the ball to the wings early with Sefania Naivalu able to find plenty of room down the left wing. After 10 minutes, Mike Harris opened the scoring for the Rebels with a penalty goal with the Rebels on top in the game to this point.
From a mistake from the Brumbies straight off the restart, Naivalu had the first try after Nic Stirzker ran through a gaping hole to link up with his winger from the resulting scrum.
With the Rebels up 10-0, the Brumbies tried to play through their forwards but the Rebels defence was up to the task with Scott Fuglistaller revelling in the conditions.
With the conditions the way they were, the scrum battle would be crucial and the Rebels were getting the upper hand in that area against a new look Brumbies front row.
The Brumbies appeared to be just a step or two off the pace especially at the breakdown, with a number of penalties going against them while on attack. For the Rebels they showed great discipline and only conceded their first penalty after 30 minutes.
Harris added his second penalty to give the visitors a 13-0 lead on the 30 minute mark with his team well on top. He could have extended the lead to 16 but his attempt missed just to the left.
With the half time siren sounded, the Brumbies finally got on the board with a try to Henry Speight following patient build up of around 20 phases in the Rebels 22.
The urgency shown by the Rebels in the first half was exemplified by Nic Stirzaker who managed to get a hand on Lealiifano’s attempted conversion from the right wing to leave the score 13-5 at the break.
As the conditions worsened for the second half, field position would become crucial. Harris had a chance to put the Brumbies at arms length but missed with a tough shot.
The Brumbies had limited chances to get anything going but were hampered with handling errors or turnovers when they were able to use the ball with the Rebels putting them under pressure.
The best chance they came in the final 20 minutes off the back of a penalty when they used their rolling maul weapon to get them to get Pocock within metres of the try line. They had to settle for a penalty goal to reduce the margin to five points.
Jack Debrezceni had a long range attempt to restore the margin to eight but just missed that would have made it tough for the Brumbies to come back.
The Rebels defence once again stepped up to repel another Brumbies rolling maul and that was where it would end for the home side, the Rebels taking out a 13-8 victory.
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The Game Changer
The Brumbies had one last chance to level in the last 10 minutes but the Rebels defence stood tall and held them out.
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The G&GR MOTM
Sefanaia Naivalu – In tough conditions for the backs to show their skills, Naivalu managed to find plenty of space
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Wallaby Watch
Nic Stirzaker showed that he shouldn’t be discounted as an option for the World Cup with a good all round game.
Scott Higginbotham lead his side well and was supported well by his forwards.
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The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 8
Tries: Speight
Conversions:
Penalties: Lealiifano
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[one_half last=”yes”]REBELS 13
Tries: Naivalu
Conversions: Harris
Penalties: Harris 2
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Cards
Nil
Crowd:
7531
