Blues shatter the victory dreams of Melbourne Rebels in a Super Rugby clash
The fast and furious Blues have shattered Melbourne Rebels’ victory dreams today in the ongoing Super Rugby championship. The defending champions overcame the Rebels with a handsome margin of 40-23 in Albany. The hosts prevailed over the Rebels as soon as
the whistle blew and ended up the clash in a similar fashion.
The Melbourne Rebels were struck by an unexpected blow when their flanker, Mark Gerrard, was ruled out of the clash with a hamstring injury just before the match. He was replaced by Afusipa Taumoepeau who started off on the bench. Following Gerrard’s injury,
Richard Kingi was pushed in to the back rows as the team’s full-back. Gerrard is one of the key players in Rod McQueen’s side which made its first appearance in Super Rugby championship this year.
The victory has placed the Blues on top in the point’s tables in the ongoing Super Rugby championship. Earlier they were on fourth position behind Reds, Crusaders and Stormers.
The Rebels were not far away from the winners at the end of the first half. The match was going head to head, 23-17, until the interval. However, the Blues did well during the second part of the game.
The Melbourne Rebels provided easy chances to the Blues which they availed quite nicely. The Rebels’ defender, Danny Cipriani, was very ordinary in the match and played a sluggish game. His terrible defense in the first half cost the Rebels two tries.
In-form Rene Ranger had an excellent day in the field for Blues as he scored two valuable tries in the match. He was passing through the Rebels’ defense like a bullet. Joe Rokocoko was also impressive in the attacking line. He contributed a much needed try
for his team.
On the other hand the Rebels tried to bounce back in the match during the first part of the game but could not stop the Blues. Their wingers, Cooper Vuna and Lachlan Turner, scored a try each, in the match whereas Cipriani scored on two conversions and executed
three penalties.
Soft and swift passes, flawless defense and good teamwork paid back a tremendous victory to the Blues. They will take on the Highlanders on 29th April in the current Super Rugby season.
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