The British and Irish Lions Dirt-trackers came to AAMI park in Melbourne with clear intent to avenge their loss in Canberra the week before. Could a Rebels team denuded of their big names hang tough against this impressive lineup?
The Match
The Rebels started the match with attitude, stealing the first two Lions lineouts, pilfering on the ground and powering into tackles. However, from the off the Rebels had no way of containing the Lions scrum, and when in the red shirts pressured a 5 metre scrum in the 17th minute through attacking back-play, a familiar story unfolded . The scrum split, wheeled and Felatau launched himself over the line. Held up, he squeezed the ball back. It bobbled out, drawing Fugalister out of the line, allowing Connor Murray to pick and score. Farrell converted and it was 0-7.
The Rebels then made a rare foray into the Lions half and earned a penalty shot that Woodward couldn’t convert. It was a costly miss, because the Lions worked themselves directly back downfield, primarily through a break and brilliant offload from Tuilagi. Felatau slipped just short of the line, but quick recycle saw Maitland over out wide. Another conversion and by 28 minutes is was 0-14.
But then, with 2 minutes left in the half, the Rebels found their mojo and a way to defeat the rush defence that had shut them down all night – by running tight and straight. Runs from English, Robinson and Inman got them to within 5m of the Lions line, only a cynical penalty halting their momentum. To their credit the Rebels opted for the line-out, but proceeded to lose the next two lineouts on their own throw. The moment was gone and the half ended 0-14.
The Lions came out of the blocks in the second half ready to play and spent the first 10 minutes in Rebels territory. They ended the period with a 5m lineout shortside move that landed O’Brien a meaty. 0-21.
The benches were emptied by the 60th minute and Jordy Reid pretty much walked straight back off the field having spoiled a Lions driving maul as it approached the Rebels line. Penalty try. 0-28.
Coming into the last 10 of the match, the relentless grind from the Lions and extra man started to show. Despite a breakout from Stirzaker, the Rebels had no control on the lineout by then and quickly found themselves back deep in their own territory, unable to do anything but go backwards on their own ball. Under pressure Luke Jones hacked a ball out on the full. From the ensuing lineout Ben “Lendrid” Youngs burst around the back fo the lineout and slid over the line. 0-35
In the dying minutes the Rebels gave it one last dash, but Woodward was held up and bundled out into touch a metre from the line.
In summary, you’ve got to say the Rebels had a good crack. Their defence, contesting at the breakdown and line-out stopped the Lions from running riot. Heggarty however was completely at sea against the Red rush D and Woodward outgunned with his kicking – they had no way of sustaining attacking pressure.
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The Game Changer
There wasn’t one. It was an inexorable march to victory for the Lions, only slowed by a gutsy Rebels performance.
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The G&GR RoboDirect MOTM
For the Rebels there were deep digs from the whole starting back row and the irrespressable Ged Robinson. Mitch Inman made an impact out wide.
For the Lions O’Brien was damaging, Farrell didn’t miss a kick, Tuilagi and Zebo were sharp. For his relentless carries and hassling at the breakdown though, the G&GR RaboDirect man of the match was Toby Felatau.
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Wallaby Watch
In truth there are no serious challengers, but Neville and Pyle put their hands up with their defensive lineout efforts early in the piece.
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The Details
Score & Scorers
RABODIRECT REBELS: 0
Tries: 0
Conversions: 0
Penalties: 0
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: 35
Tries: O’Brien, Youngs, Maitland, Murray, Penalty Try
Conversions: Farrell 3, Hogg 2
Penalties: 0
Crowd
28,558
