Both teams come into this match on the back of contrasting results and form. Last week, the Melbourne Rebels were out classed at home against the Wellington Hurricanes while the Cheetahs defeated the Sunwolves with the second largest winning margin in Super Rugby history. The Rebels desperately need to win this one if they are to stay in touch with the competition’s leaders.
Pre-Match
As is tradition on the ANZAC weekend, a moving and respectful observance was held before kick off to commemorate lives lost in battle and to show respect to those members of our armed forces currently serving overseas.
“Lest we forget”
The Match
The much discussed AAMI Park playing surface would be tested early. Luke Jones failed to secure the ball from the kick off and it was eventually knocked on. All eyes were on the first scrum but, it proved to be something of an anti-climax as a short-arm penalty was paid against the Cheetahs for an early shove.
The Rebels dominated possession in the early part of the half. However, thanks to a combination of dithering, poor handling and inaccurate passing, struggled to get the ball over the gain line. Jack Debreczeni missed an early penalty attempt; the only realistic scoring chance in the first quarter hour. Unfortunately for the Bloemfonteinians, Hilton Lobbets had to leave the field early with an arm injury sustained in an attempted tackle on Jones.
The Cheetahs were first to score with a try to their hooker, Torsten van Jaarsveld, on the back of a well organised driving maul. Niel Marais slotted the conversion and, against the run of play, the visitors were up 7-0.
The Rebels levelled the score a couple of minutes later courtesy of an excellent individual try from outside centre, Reece Hodge and a successful conversion by Debreczeni.
Sefa Naivalu had not yet been able to get his hands on the ball but made a brilliant, try-saving tackle on Sergeal Petersen. It proved to be to no avail though, the Cheetahs quickly shifted the ball wide for Clayton Blommetjies to dive over in the right corner. Marais converted and put his side ahead 14-7 on the half hour.
Debreczeni added three points before missing another penalty attempt to end a scrappy, error ridden half with the scoreboard showing a 10-14 lead to the Cheetahs.
The Melbourne Rebels had plenty of the ball but were unable to make much of their opportunities with basic skills letting the team down. Too many passes went behind the man, those that were put out in front were often too low or too high. Jack Debreczeni seemed unsure as to whether he should pass or run. Set piece plays were messy, the scrum and line out under pressure. The Cheetahs targeted the usually reliable Luke Jones with their kick restarts; Jones was having an off night and repeatedly failed to secure the ball above his head.
Half Time Pitch Report
The much maligned AAMI Park playing surface has been a hot topic of discussion for the past several weeks. The sandy base tearing up under every scrum. The ground staff had obviously worked hard after last week’s match replacing around 30% of the turf. The ground did show signs of improvement this week but is still far from adequate with the ground staff needing to make running repairs after each scrum. Much more work will need to be done to make the ground safe before the Englishmen arrive in June.
Reece Hodge heads to the try line
Second Half
The Rebels started the second half as if they had just received the mother of all half time rockets from Tony McGahan. Perhaps they had? They regained possession from the kick off. Cam Crawford made an excellent job of chasing and retrieving a Nick Stirzacker box kick. This eventually led to Lopeti Timani crashing over the top of Nico Lee to score five points. The relatively easy conversion was missed by Debreczeni but the home team were in front for the first time.
The Rebels defense was strong and organised for the next twenty minutes. They were aided somewhat by a couple of forward passes and handling errors from the Cheetahs.
Early in the final quarter, Adam Thomson stole the ball from a Cheetahs ruck, Tamati Ellison offloaded to Jonah Placid who found Cam Crawford on the wing. Crawford got the ball back inside to Placid for a try under the posts.
Just a few minutes later, Reece Hodge again cut through the Cheetahs defence for his second long range try of the night to extend the Rebels lead to 29-14.
Tamati Ellison earned the Rebels a bonus point with an intercept try in the 81st minute.
Final score 36-14 with the Cheetahs unable to add to their half time tally.
Next week, the Rebels head to Auckland to play the Blues in another important match. The Cheetahs move to Brisbane to take on the Reds.
Lopeti Timani powers over for a Rebels’ try
[one_third last=”no”]
The Game Changer
Lopeti Timani’s try thirty seconds into the second half gave the Rebels some much needed momentum and belief. A team effort in preventing the Cheetahs scoring from a sustained period of attacking play led to three more unanswered tries in the second half.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
A number of good performances made selecting the Man of The Match a tough decision. James Hanson had a great game, as did Adam Thomson and Tamati Ellison. Reece Hodge showed some real pace and class with his two tries and his defensive efforts.
The MOTM though is Lopeti Timani. Timani worked tirelessly for the full eighty minutes, scored one try, ran the ball twelve times for fifty metres and made four tackle busts.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby Watch
It might seem silly to mention a bloke for Wallaby Watch after what was just his fifth game but, Michael Cheika himself called out Reece Hodge after only one game. Hodge will only have enhanced his reputation as a player to watch after this effort. He may have let himself down slightly by missing touch twice with penalty kicks but otherwise, a good all round game.
Chibba Hanson will also have sent a little reminder to the selectors following a really strong strong showing, particularly in tight.
[/one_third]
Footnote
Tamati Ellison’s wife gave birth to their fourth child while he was hard at work warming up with the team. Who knows, maybe one day, in twenty odd years, the Ellison’s Melbourne born son might also pull on a Rebels Jersey?
Tamati Ellison celebrates a try and the arrival of his Melbourne born son.
The Details
Crowd: An enthusiastic 8,800 odd
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]
Melbourne Rebels:
Tries: R. Hodge (22′), L. Timani (41′), J. Placid (62′), R. Hodge (69′), T. Ellison (80′)
Conversions: J. Debreczeni (23′, 63, 71′, 80′)
Penalties: J. Debreczeni (37′)[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Cheetahs
Tries: T. van Jaarsveld (18′), C. Blommetjies (29′)
Conversions: N. Marais (19′, 30′)
Penalties: 0[/one_half]
Cards & Citings
None
