Rebels shock Brumbies in last stages – Super Rugby match report
After getting thrashed by Waratahs in the opening rounds, the Rebels made comeback with a dramatic and intense victory of 25-24 over Brumbies in Melbourne at AAMI Stadium.
Waratahs gave Rebels a nightmare last week with a hammering 43-0 defeat in Super Rugby’s debut match, but Rebels bounced back with immense power this week. They had their defense strong and steady, while the movement with the ball was decent too.
Danny Cipriani, the fly half, capped an awesome performance for Rebels and claimed the first victory for Rebels in Super 15 this year. His performance throughout the match and then his match winning penalty at the very last stages of the game took Brumbies
by blow.
Matt Giteau’s boot and fullback Pat McCabe’s excellent try took Brumbies to 16-9 point difference at the end of first half, while Cipriani landed three perfect penalties in the Brumbies’ uprights. English and Rebels’ playmaker went on chipping away at Brumbies
even after the first half, but a drop goal by Giteau kept the Rebels at a decent point difference.
Later on, when game entered in its final stages, Rebels took away the lead from Brumbies. Last ten minutes turned out to be more happening and productive then the whole game, when a speculative pass from Cooper Vuna, the winger, made Stirling Mortlock, the
centre, go for a strong run and score his first try for Super Rugby.
Brumbies didn’t go under pressure and found some room to breathe when Cipriani converted with his boot. Immediately after the conversion, Henry Speight silenced the crowd by crossing over to the corner and getting his side a lead of two points.
The game had another dramatic twist to offer when Cipriani was gifted a debatable penalty, which he scored with ease. The last penalty stamped on Rebels’ victory and took Cipriani’s personal score to 20 in that match.
After this Super Rugby affair, Rebels stand at 9th position with one victory out of two matches and a total of 4 points and points difference of negative 42. Brumbies even after losing stand at 4thposition due to their last week’s colossal victory. Brumbies
also won one out of two matches with a total of 5 points, which includes a bonus point from Rebels’ victory.
Highlanders are leading the table with a 100 percent record so far in this year’s Super 15 campaign. A total of 8 points and a 15 point difference have kept Highlanders on top with Waratahs and Bulls following at second and third places with 5 and 8 points
respectively.
The very same day, when Brumbies were thrashed by Rebels, Highlanders took their second victory against Chiefs with scoreboard saying 23-13 at Carisbrook.
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