Reds defeat Rebels to get back to top in Super Rugby xv
Reds were back to business as they defeated Super Rugby’s newest entrants, Rebels, at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Friday, May 6. Reds beat the hosts 33 – 18 and secured a try bonus point from Friday’s game.
The win is the ninth for Reds in the current season and their first win as they recover from last weekend beating handed over to them by the Hurricanes. With this win, Reds have extended their lead in the Australian conference by 13 points over the Waratahs.
Rebels were first to take the lead in the match courtesy of their fullback Julian Huxley’s fourth minute penalty. However, they failed to score on the penalty during the ninth minute of the game.
Reds equalised the score courtesy of their fly half Quade Cooper’s 14th minute penalty. Reds took the lead during the 17th minute of the game thanks to flanker Scott Higginbotham’s try. Higginbotham shrugged off a tackle by Rebels full
back Julian Huxley to cross the try line to score first try in the game. Cooper failed to score on the conversion.
As the game progressed, Reds enjoyed more ball possession and controlled the pace of the game. Reds scored their second try during the 22nd minute of the game after their scrum half Will Genia gathered the ball at lineout and passed the ball to
their number eight Radike Samo who scored the Reds second try.
Cooper followed with a conversion to leave the hosts trailing by 12 points. Cooper scored his second penalty of the match during the 26th minute of the game.
Rebels replied with their fly half James Hilgendorf’s 31st minute try but their fullback Huxley missed on the conversion. Cooper scored his third penalty of the game during the 32nd minute of the game to extend the lead by 13 points.
Rebels started the second-half strong but they suffered a major blow when their centre Mark Gerrard left the field due to injury.
Rebels’ substitute Afusipa Taumoepeau scored their first of two tries of the second-half during the 58th minute of game. Reds extended their lead courtesy of their winger Digby Ioane’s 63rd minute try. Cooper followed with a conversion to score
Reds last points in the game to extend their lead by 20 points.
Rebels tried their best to reduce the deficit in the remaining time but the Reds showed some impressive defence and denied them any chance of scoring. Rebels’ winger Peter Betham’s 76th minute try was the last they scored in the game.
Reds play their next super xv match against the super xv combine table leaders, the Auckland Blues. Reds will host the Blues at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, May 13.
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