The Melbourne Rebels, with improved performances in the past couple of weeks, should have gone into this game with a positive mindset.
The Highlanders would be desperate for a good win to help them stay in touch with their conference’s leaders.
First Half
Oh no. Only 18 seconds into the first half and Steve Cummins is on the ground holding his head after an attempted tackle on Luke Whitelock. Cummins is straight off to fail a H.I.A. and is replaced by Dominic Day.
The Highlanders earn the first chance to score with a scrum penalty against the feed. Marty Banks secures the three points.
At the twelve minute mark the Highlanders score their first five pointer. Another defensive scrum from the Rebels is destroyed as the Highlander pack pushes them back off the ball. From the scrum turnover, Banks feeds the ball out to Richard Buckman who offloaded in the tackle to Malakai Fekitoa. Fekitoa still had some work to do but was never going to be stopped that close to the line. Conversion successful, 10-0 to the ‘Landers.
Moments later the Highlanders are in again. They earned good field position after a penalty against Jordy Reid for fielding a ball in an offside position after Jack Debreczeni dropped a high ball. From the line out the Highlanders ran through the phases until Tom Franklin eventually got the ball inside to an unmarked Luke Whitelock who had an uninterupted run to the line. After 17 minutes, 17-0.
Luke Whitelock – had a top game, and even scored a try.
The start of the second quarter sees another three points to the Highlanders after Banks slotted a penalty goal following an offside infringement.
The first half ended with no further change to the scoreline of twenty points to nil.
The first forty minutes from the Rebels could only be considered shambolic at best. Every scrap of possession was ruined through a multitude of errors and basic mistakes. Knock ons, dropped high balls, aimless kicking, feet (yes, it happened twice) in touch and failing to secure possession at the ruck… shambolic. The Rebels looked lethargic and, at times, lost.
In contrast, The Highlanders showed good shape in attack, moved the ball well and, with little opposition, dominated every aspect. They perhaps kicked the ball away more than was necessary and should have probably been further in front. The first half statistics told the tale: 63% possession, 389 run metres to 177, four missed tackles to 13 and three handling errors to ten, all in favour of the home team.
Second half
Oh dear. The second half started in similar fashion to the first. A “not releasing” penalty to the Highlanders after just one minute of play. Banks nails the kick from right in front and the scoreboard reads 23-0.
The Rebels first real opportunity came thanks to a kick through from Debreczeni deep inside his own half. Reece Hodge sprinted downfield in support and it became a two-on-two foot race. Hodge threw a pass outside to Debreczeni with a clear run to the line. From out of nowhere Fekitoa arrived and made the try saving tackle. By the time Nic Stirzacker arrived to offer support the Highlanders had swarmed the breakdown and won back the ball.
Hodge received a head knock during the play and was sent off for a H.I.A., Sione Tuipolotu on. Hodge passed the test and would return after ten minutes.
After fifty minutes, the Highlanders opted to use their bench early with a double change to bring on the double barrels; Greg Pleasants-Tate and Dan Lienert-Brown.
Oh yeah! Try to Tom English for the visitors! From a ruck in mid-field, a rushed Stirzacker pass found Mitch Inman. Inman stood up Fekitoa before passing to English who ran thirty metres and beat two defenders to slide over the chalk. With Hodge off the field, Debreczeni stepped up to take the place kick which missed to the right. 23-5.
The Highlanders replied almost instantly. A comedy of errors from the Rebels led to a penalty on their five metre line. The Rebels appeared to kick the ball clear from the scrum but were again pinged for offside. A quick tap from Buckman saw him score adjacent to the posts amid a snoozing Rebels defence.
Richard Buckman – caught the Rebels napping, scored a try.
Gareth Evans was the next Highlander on the score sheet with a nice individual effort. A pass from Banks put Evans into a bit of space well outside the Rebels 22 metre line. Running infield, Evans easily disposed of Garden-Bachop and Stirzaker on his way to the line. Another successful conversion and the score was out to 37-5 with plenty of time left for more.
Another good attacking opportunity to the Rebels was wasted as Siliva Siliva, in true replacement hooker fashion, threw a crooked line out.
Fekitoa in again. Tom English attempted a long pass to Koroibete that was easily picked off by a hard working Fekitoa. Hodge chased hard but could not lay a hand on the outside centre who scored under the posts. Another conversion sees the score move to 44-5 and the bonus point secured.
Consolation try! A well taken try from the Rebels. A bit of heavy work from the forwards gave replacement scumhalf, Mick Snowden some space to find Ben Volavola. Volavola threw a nice ball to Hodge who, despite a juggle stepped inside Faddes and dived over. Hodge converted his own try and made the score 44-12.
Consolation try cancelled. With time up on the clock a scrappy passage of play that should have come to nothing instead ended in a try to the reserve hooker, Pleasants-Tate, following a lovely offload from Joe Wheeler. Fletcher Smith’s conversion ended the game with the home team victorious, 51-12.
[one_half last=”no”]
Otago Highlanders
The Highlanders may not have the flair or derring do of some of the other Kiwi teams but they are effective in every aspect.
They manage to keep constant pressure on their opponents through field position and solid defence and can attack through the mid field or out wide. They have had more than their fair share of injuries so far this year and will only improve as some of their big name players come back into the side. This was an important bonus point win to keep them in touch with their conference rivals and their biggest win for nearly 15 years.
Next week the Highlanders play the Blues, at home in their big shed in Dunedin.[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Melbourne Rebels
Perhaps last week’s second half capitulation against the Waratahs took the wind out of their sails but in this, their 100th game, the Rebels were poor. They lacked onfield leadership and seemed to lack energy and cohesion. The Rebels missed 21 tackles to ten and had 18 handling errors to six but their inability to put any sustained pressure on the opposition, either in attack or defence, was the biggest difference between the teams. One of the biggest frustrations for Rebels fans is that when their team does manage to put it all together they look great. These moments are too few and far between.
Next week Rebels supporters get some temporary relief courtesy of the bye.[/one_half]
[one_third last=”no”]
The Game Changer
Let’s say Cummins going down with an early head knock. Scores were tied at that point. It was pretty much one-way traffic from then on.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Luke Whitelock, Joe Wheeler and Tom Frankin all had solid outings with strong defence and several good carries. The mid field pairing of Buckman and Fekitoa had a field day. The G&GR MOTM this week though goes to Marty Banks, he led his team well around the park and was flawless from the kicking tee.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby Watch
Reece Hodge was solid, scored another try and impressed with his kicking. James Hanson and Lopeti Timani (with limited opportunity) didn’t do much to enhance their reputations. Marika Koroibete is starting to show some form but needs to keep working on his defensive positioning.[/one_third]
Scores and Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]
Highlanders: 51
Tries: M. Fekitoa (13′), L. Whitelock (17′), R. Buckman (58′), G. Evans (63′), M. Fekitoa (71′), G. Pleasants-Tate (80′)
Conversions: M. Banks 5, F. Smith 1
Penalties: M. Banks 3[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Rebels: 12
Tries: T. English (52′), R. Hodge (79′)
Conversions: Hodge 1[/one_half]
Cards and Citations
Nil
