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Match Result It wasn’t the greatest game as a spectacle but it was a slugfest and it was the Rebels who were willing to work harder and they got the reward for their effort.
Three yellow cards were handed out throughout the game with two to the Rebels with Stirzaker and McMahon going to the sin bin while Drummond went to the sin bin for the Crusaders.
Timani was outstanding for the Rebels and insult to injury for the Crusaders who look like they will lose Dan Carter for a while with a leg injury. Jack Debreczeni also failed the concussion test and didn’t return following the 18th minute.
All in all a famous victory for the Rebels who in their fifth season finally claim a win outside of Australia!
Rebels 20 defeated Crusaders 10
Preview
The wait is over! The 2015 Super Rugby season kicks off with a cross conference battle with New Zealand powerhouse the Crusaders out to atone the Demons of last year’s Grand Final defeat against the Waratahs. They start this season against a new look Melbourne Rebels outfit who will look to an electrifying youngster for their spark in 2015.
Join us here on The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEDT).
It was a devastating end to 2014 for the Crusaders who watched painfully as Bernard Foley slotted a penalty to dagger any hopes of a eighth Super Rugby crown. In three trial games so far the Crusaders haven’t been able to put a successful result together, however this year feels very different to previous seasons.
Unlike previous years the Crusaders will have both Dan Carter and Richie McCaw available from the start of the season. It is also the first time in three years that the Crusaders will have played in the first round of the season.
In 2013 the Crusaders started their season in Round 3 off the back of consecutive byes and were defeated convincingly by the Blues, and last year the Crusaders began their season with an 18-10 loss to the Chiefs.
During those years both Carter and McCaw took sabbaticals and returned later in the year, but Todd Blackadder has the luxury of being able to play both from Round 1 this year. However with that experience there is also a host of players unavailable for the Crusaders.
Experienced players and All Blacks including Kieran Read, Israel Dagg, Sam Whitelock and Andy Ellis. They will also be without Fijian Flyer Nemani Nadolo who despite finishing his duties in Japan won’t be available for this opening round fixture.
Across the Tasman it’s an optimistic year for the Rebels, the much maligned Australian franchise has been a big underachiever in recent years, but a promising young fly half and some new signings could be the beginning of something new in Victoria.
Jack Debreczeni showed all the quality that he possesses during the inaugural National Rugby Championship. He has already been given the vote of confidence Tony McGahan who has already come out in the media and said that Debreczeni will have first go at playing fly half this season.
While it may take some time for Debreczeni to find his feet there is some optimism from the Rebels who have surrounded the young half with experienced players.
Despite losing Jason Woodward to the Hurricanes the Rebels have added former Reds Dom Shipperley, Mike Harris and Jonah Placid as well as the never-ageing Radike Samo who will add some much needed experience to the Rebels.
McGahan will also be looking for further improvements from Wallabies Sean McMahon, Laurie Weeks and Luke Jones. McMahon in particular was good on the Wallabies European tour and the Rebels will need him at his best to be competitive this year.
Prediction: I think the Crusaders will have too much quality in this one at home however I’m predicting a close game.
Crusaders by 6.
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