The Stormers defeat the Melbourne Rebels in an entertaining match at AAMI Park.
The Match
The last home Match for the Rebels unfortunately didn’t attract a big crowd. The match, even if ended up with a loss for the home team, was highly entertaining, with both teams playing hard for a win.
Eleven tries and more than a point per minute played kept the spectators entertained for the whole game.
For the home fans the game has been the last chance to see foundation member Luke Jones before he will head to French Top14 club Bordeaux. Although a last minute withdrawal denied Mike Harris the chance to farewell the home crowd before he departs from Lyon (French Top 14).
Mitch Inman came into the team last minute at inside centre with Reece Hodge moved to fullback and Wallabies’ Under 20 and local talent Sione Tuipulotu called to the bench.
Whilst for the Rebels the season is well and truly over, even after a glimpse of hope for the play offs mid-season, the visitors are in full fight for the top spot of the Africa 1 conference. Robbie Fleck chose a strong team with springboks Eben Etzebeth, Sias Kolisi, Shalk Burger and Damian Allende in the starting XV.
The big question in the weeks leading to the match was if the turf would hold, after the embarrassing disaster in front of the world TV audience of the first test match played at AAMI. A state so dismayed that caused the Rebels to threat to move the game to another venue.
First Half
An entertaining first half, dominated in the set pieces by the Stormers, resulted in both teams scoring two tries each. The visitors finished 6 points ahead, thanks to Jean-Luc du Plessis kicks from the penalties won by his forwards.
The Stormers came out firing and pressed early on the Rebels to score a penalty with flyhallf Jean-Luc du Plessis after just 2 minutes.
Jack Debreczeni could have scored one penalty for the Rebels soon after when the Stormers were caught offside at the lineout. However, his kick drifted to the left.
The Rebels were the first to score a Try to Naivalu in the 10th minute. A good combination between Debreczeni and Tom English after a lineout created the space for the speedster.
After another du Plessis penalty, reserve scrumhalf Ben Meehan scored his fourth season try dancing on the line in the left corner. Converted by Debreczei, the Rebels hung onto the lead.
Ben Meehan well directed the forwards
After the restart, a lucky bounce gave Du Pleases the ball 20 meters from the try line. After some juggling, he managed to recover the Ball and score under the posts. He converted his own Try, narrowing the gap to just one point.
The Stormers scrum annihilated the Rebels for the fifth time in the first 30 minutes and gained a penalty. Du Plessis made no mistake with the kick, giving the Stormers the lead for the first time in the match.
This pushed Tony McGahan to sub Cruze Ah Nau for Laurie Weeks, with the hope to stabilise the Scrum. After a series of phases in the Rebels’ 22, prop Vincent Koch was the last to break the defensive line and score under the posts. Du Plessis converted again and extend the Stormers lead.
In the shadows of half-time, Debreczeni scored a penalty from 45 meters to keep the home team less than a converted try.
Half time score: Rebels 17 – Stormers 23
Jean-Luc du Plessis didn’t missed a kick in the first half
Second half
If the first half was a high pace affair, the second stanza started relatively slowly, with the both teams forced to sub several players.
The Rebels were twice close to scoring, after 5 minutes Naivalu was close, but touched the line in the left corner before being able to touch down, at the tenth minute Jonah Placid on the other corner was able to stay in the field of play, but injured himself in the action. The winger was substituted by the debutant Paul Asquith.
Debreczeni converted the Try, for the momentarily Rebels lead.
Du Plessis re-gained the lead right after with another penalty and Etzebeth scored a try of his own after stealing yet another lineout.
The entertainment wasn’t over, with Jack Debreczeni scoring in front of the posts and converting his own try to level the score at 31 each. Tom English was again instrumental with the last pass.
Two try assists for Tom English
With the score locked and 20 minutes to play, the Rebels defence was tested once again and Scott Flugistaller was sent to the bin for repeated fault play. The Stormers unsurprisingly opted for the scrum and crossed the line with scrum half Nick Groom. Du Plessis missed the conversion, the Stormers were back in the lead by 5 points.
Damian de Allende finally found the right hole in the Rebels’ defence and scored the visitors fifth try with 12 minutes to play. Soon after the restart, Leo Zas put an end to the game with an intercept try after the Rebels were close to scoring another try.
After the siren Scarra Ntubeni scored the seventh try for the Stormers which gave them an all important bonus point in the race for the play offs.
Final score: Rebels 31 – Stormers 57
The Wrap Up
With the Rebels losing Timani and Jones through the first half, and relying on four small forwards against the South African pack, it was a huge effort for the home team to fight off the visitors. The Stormers dominated the set pieces and got the best of the home team in the second half.
For the Stormers, a well deserved win that keep them on top of Africa 1 conference.
Eben Etzebeth has been excellent for the visitors
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The Game Changer
Scott Fluglistaller’s yellow card came at the worst time possible for the Rebels. With both teams able to score tries in succession, the Rebels defence, already tested by the Stormers wasn’t able to hold anymore and conceded two crucial tries.
The player cannot be blamed for “taking one for the team”, but his cynical action gave ‘Gus Gardner no other chance than to penalise him.
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The G&GR MOTM
The Green and Gold man of the match is Eben Etzebeth. The South African giant second rower was a constant menace in the forwards, his lineouts were perfect and he stole several balls with Rebels’ throw in.
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Wallaby watch
It’s hard to know who could get a call-up to the Wallabies. Sean McMahon is a favourite of Cheika, and he did play well tonight. Tom English played one of his best games for the Rebels, and Jordy Read was solid in defence.
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The Details
Score & Scorers
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Rebels 31 (17)
Tries: Sefa Naivalu, Ben Meehan, Jonah Placid, Jack Debreczeni
Conversions: Jack Debreczeni 4/4
Penalties: Jack Debreczeni 1/2
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Stormers 57 (23)
Tries: Jean-Luc du Plessis, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Nick Groom, Leo Zas, Scarra Ntubeni
Conversions: Jean-Luc du Plessis 5/7
Penalties: Jean-Luc du Plessis 4/4
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Cards & citings
YC: Scott Fluglistaller, Rebels
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Crowd
8,027
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