Chiefs shock Rebels 38-10: Super Rugby match report
Melbourne Rebels staggered into a traditional New Zealand trap as the Super 15 team was clinically beaten by the Chiefs. The Rebels are the first side to get walloped at Waikato Stadium since summer 2009 with a shrinking 38-10 thrashing at the hands of the
formerly winless Chiefs.
Rebels were welcomed to a hard overseas opening in Super Rugby after Chiefs showed speed and skill on Saturday in Hamilton. The match was played in drizzly conditions but Chiefs looked at ease and scored four tries, while Rebels scored just one.
Tana Umaga, the former All Black skipper said, “A lot of our home fans and friends and family braved the weather to come out and see us, so it was great to put on a performance for them and ourselves.” He added, “The conditions helped us a little bit today.
We capitalised on some mistakes and controlled, that is something we're good at.”
The New Zealand club scored a total of 23 points without getting a response in the first 19 minutes. Chiefs dominated completely and made use of every blunder and fumble made by Rebels. Sitiveni Sivivatu and Leila Masaga’s duo at wing turned out to be useful
and scored three tries giving the home side a definite advantage out wide.
Danny Cipriani, number eight, missed an early penalty gifted by Chiefs’ Stephen Donald. Chiefs started to put on thrust and capitalised in the first half until the second quarter. Donald scored a penalty in the second quarter and then did a conversion to
Sivivatu’s try. Later on, he kicked another penalty to give the home side a 16-3 advantage over Rebels before the break.
Chiefs maintained the same valor and aggressiveness in second half. Melbourne did try to respond at times but couldn’t really make a difference. Gareth Delve, the number eight and vice captain showed some skills and made his way through for Rebels and scored
the first try at 57th minute. The try was converted by Danny Cipriani.
After this development, Melbourne Rebels became threatening and started to attack more and imposed a sustained rally, but proceeds from set pieces and scrums cost the guests some significant possession and field position.
Masaga gave Chiefs the bonus point, when he pierced through the defense for about 80 metres and dodged off a few defenders and scored a try. He was assisted by replacement Tim Nanai Williams and Tana Umaga.
The vigilant utility back Nanai Williams was called on the field 20 minutes into the game, after the fullback and skipper Mils Muliaina took a blow from flanker Jarrod Saffy on the kidney, early in the game.
On the other hand, Mark Gerard the fullback was the only Rebels player who gave a consistent performance and utilised his ground. Gerard did a solid effort and provided his side with some commanding and calculated kicking.
Tags: