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The Melbourne Rebels have set a new club record as they surged to their sixth win of the Super Rugby season with a 42-22 victory over the Blues at AAMI Park.
Melbourne had never managed to win six games in a season but set the new benchmark with five rounds still to play.
The Rebels also picked up a bonus point after scoring five tries, which could prove helpful as they push for an unlikely finals berth.
>>>See how all the action unfolded in our live blog.
With Wallabies back-rower Sean McMahon out with a hip injury Melbourne showed their depth of talent with his left-flanker replacement Colby Fainga’a brilliant in both attack and defence.
Openside flanker Jordy Reid also gave the Blues plenty of headaches with a game-high 18 tackles, while No.8 co-captain Scott Higginbotham scored his 30th Super Rugby try to set a new record for the most tries by a forward.
The home side’s first try in the 10th minute was a superb team effort, with Fainga’a touching down.
It started with an intercept by five-eighth Jack Debreczeni, with the ball travelling to Fainga’a, winger Sefa Naivalu, Higginbotham and then back to Fainga’a.
After an earlier penalty the Rebels were out to an 8-0 lead.
Out of contention for the finals, the Blues showed their willingness to throw the ball around and came up trumps in the 27th minute through Melani Nanai.
An inside ball from hooker Keven Mealamu released centre Francis Sali who sent a long ball wide to his flying winger to close the lead to just a point.
Melbourne extended that soon after – first through a penalty, and then a clever try scored by prop Toby Smith.
He and hooker Pat Leafa caught the Blues napping with a quick lineout and he charged 35 metres to touch down for his first Rebels try.
The visitors again closed the margin to one point at 18-17 through nippy replacement halfback Jamison Gibson-Park but three minutes later the Rebels had some breathing space through Higginbotham’s effort.
The Blues struck again with George Moala burrowing over the line but following the pattern the Rebels hit back again.
Centre Dom Shipperley collected the bonus point try and then Debreczeni added their fifth in the 78th minute to cap a memorable night for the home team.
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.