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Star five-eighth Danny Cipriani was both hero and villain as the Rebels fell to a thrilling 34-32 loss to the Sharks in their Super Rugby match in Melbourne.
The English import scored a brilliant individual try just after halftime, showing all his skills as he cut a swathe through the Sharks defence on his way to touch down.
But with the Sharks ahead 27-25 with only five minutes remaining, Cipriani chased down a ball near the tryline and swamped by Sharks defenders, batted the ball back in-field for Myer Bosman to score the easiest of tries.
The Rebels showed their fighting spirit to hit back again with a try by Jarrod Saffy in the 78th minute but even with Cipriani’s conversion they were short and the only reward for the home side was a bonus point.
And worsening their defeat was the loss of star fullback Mark Gerrard with a dislocated shoulder suffered early in the second half.
The Rebels, who are looking to replicate their Storm league counterpart’s formidable home ground record in Melbourne, looked on track for another upset win at the “Stockade”.
The Sharks went into the match unbeaten and without conceding a try in the opening three rounds of the competition.
But the Rebels, who pipped the Brumbies at AAMI Park in round two, ignored that reputation.
They were in front until the 71st minute when dynamic Sharks No.8 Ryan Kankowski barrelled across the try-line after his side elected to run the ball rather than kick a penalty.
That levelled the scoreline at 25-25 before five-eighth Patrick Lambie converted the try for a two-point lead.
The home side was still in with a chance until the heart-breaking try by Bosman.
Early on it looked like the Durban-based side, who easily accounted for the Western Force in Perth last round, would dominate.
They scored first points through a penalty kick by Lambie and then a converted try by hooker Bismarck du Plessis, who steamrolled three Rebels defenders to touch down.
The margin was out to 13-3 before the Rebels got into the match when former league winger Cooper Vuna found the try line.
Julian Huxley also got amongst the growing list of Rebels try-scorers and the home side hit the sheds up 18-13 at halftime.
But the Sharks showed why they are top of the Super table with an impressive fightback.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.