The Rebels have conquered the Blues at Eden Park, winning 20 – 10.
The Rebels controlled the game from the outset; defence was on point all night and scored some lovely team tries. The Blues had flashes of brilliance, but poor execution cost them dearly at critical points in the match. I don’t think Tana Umanga will have many dreadlocks by the morning, after ripping most them out in frustration.
For context, It’s the first victory by an Australian side at Eden Park since the Brumbies in 2013, and the first win in NZ by an Aussie team since 2015. That a LONG time between drinks.
First half
The Blues, with a strong breeze behind them, looked to get field position through the boot. They went deep into Rebels territory early in the game. Despite 6 minutes of sustained pressure, the Rebels held the line with some solid defence. The Blues managed to earn a lucky penalty for obstruction and went for points. Perofeta made no mistake with the kick, and the Blues went up 3 – 0 after 6min.
From the restart, it was the Rebels turn to go on the attack. Playing to the conditions, the Rebels worked the ball upfield the hard way, with some great forward runs. After fourteen phases of sustained pressure, Ruru flicked a cheeky pass out to Meakes, who scored under the sticks. It was a great reward for the solid lead-up play, with the forwards playing a big role. Hodge made no mistake with the conversion, scores 7 – 3 to the Rebels.
Billy Meakes crosses the line for his first try
It seemed the Blues were their own worst enemy for most of the first half. I lost count of all hey got themselves into a good position, only to lose possession through some poor handling. At the 22nd minute mark, they blew eleven phases of good lead up work when the halfback dropped the ball cold. He was five metres from the Rebels line, uncontested at the back of the ruck. Luck just wasn’t going their way tonight.
At the other end of the field, it was a completely different story. When on the attack, everything seemed to go right for the Melbourne men. Despite having two tries disallowed by the TMO, they were applying pressure on a shaky Blues defence. It felt like it was only a matter of time before they scored their next try.
Despite the sustained pressure, the Blues managed to sneak a try in the 35th minute, after a good charge down from Ioane, deep in their own 22. A good counter attack against a stretched Melbourne defence helped Terrance Hepetema to run for the line. He got past Koroibete, and crashed over for the try. Perofeta nailed the conversion, and the Blues were back in front, 10 – 8.
In the shadows of halftime, the Rebels had one more crack at the Blues line. After nine solid phases of forwarding runners, mostly from the tight five, theey were finally rewarded with a great team try. The Rebels went wide and found Dane Haylett-Petty, who danced around a Blues lock to score the try.
Dane Haylett-Petty celebrates his try with the Rebels.
Hodge missed the conversion, closing out the half 12 – 10 Rebels.
Second Half
With the wind behind their backs, the Rebels sensed something special. From a lineout win, Dane Haylett-Petty kicked out wide to a running Koroibete, who found Meakes on his right shoulder. Bill ran 40 metres unopposed to score his second for the night. Hodge missed the conversion, scores 17 – 10 Rebels.
Billy Meakes strolls in for his second try of the night.
The only thing going right for the Blues was their strong set piece. From the restart they worked the ball up the field, earning and penalty and lineout only 5 metres from the Rebels line. They won the lineout, mauled it towards the line, and appeared to get the ball down for the try. The only two people at Eden Park who didn’t think it was a try was the ref and the TMO, with no clear vision of a grounding. The crowd booed and hissed, the Rebels smiled.
The Blues had another crack, this time through their dominant scrum. It wasn’t their best scrum of the night, putting them on the back foot, and eventually, through their monstrous defence, the Rebels forced the error. Nothing was going right for the Blues tonight.
Poor Jermoe, his Blues had rotten luck all night
This pattern was common for the Blues all night; they’d win possession, work the ball up the field, get into a good position, then cough up possession through strong Rebels defence, or through a simple error. The Rebels defence was on point; they didn’t over commit at the breakdown, set the line either side of the ruck, and put in some bone-crunching tackles. One of the biggest improvements in their game this season alone.
The Rebels pack, including the locking pair of Philip and Coleman, were dominant tonight.
After 60 minutes, the Rebels earned a penalty right in front of the uprights. Hodge made no mistake, pushing the score to 20 – 10 Rebels.
Sensing a rare bonus-point victory, the Rebels kept the pressure on the Blues. They almost had their bonus point in the 77th minutes, when Koroibete went over. The TMO had a look and picked up a bootlace on the touchline just before Koroitete dotted it down, therefore no try.
But it didn’t matter to the Rebels; they just won their first game at Eden Park, and the first Aussie win at Eden Park since 2013.
Final score, 20 – 10 to the Rebels.
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The Game Changer
The disallowed try in the 46th minute, and the subsequent botched Blues scrum and turnover. The Blues needed that try to keep in the game, and it slipped through their fingers. I think the Blues at that point knew they could win it without some form of divine (or Gunston) intervention.
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The G&GR MOTM
The Rebels had a number of good players; Coleman, Philip, Ainsley, Rangi, and DHP, but for this week the MOTM is once again Amanaki Mafi. He had another standout performance; 71 run metres, 23 carries, and 5 defenders beaten. Another beast of a Game
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Wallaby Watch
Adam Coleman showed what a great leader he is becoming, and it’s showing through his general play on the field. Koroibete is hitting form at the right time, with some top runs and solid defence. Reece Hodge yet again shows his versatility. Jordan Uelese looks like the only worry, going down with what appears to be a knee Injury.
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The Details
Score & Scorers
Auckland Blues 10
Try: Hepetema
Con: Perofeta
Pen: Perofeta
Rebels 20
Tries: Meakes 2, D Haylett-Petty
Con: Hodge
Pen: Hodge
