In front of 8,823 people the Rebels have defeated the Force 27-22 in Melbourne.
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Both sides lacked imagination in the first half, thankfully the pace picked up in the second.
Mike Harris spoiled his great week – after being named in Michael Cheika’s Wallabies squad, he busted early, put Reece Hodge away for the opening try, but then promptly limped off with a hamstring twinge.
Hopefully it won’t be too serious, but you’d have to think he’s out of contention now for at least the first Test against England.
The Force hit back just four minutes after Hodge’s try with a superb effort by Luke Morahan, who also scored in the second half.
The winger leapt above the Rebels to gather a kick down-field by five-eighth Peter Grant.
He chipped ahead, then managed to collect the ball and dive across in the corner.
That try gave the Force an 8-7 lead, which Hodge reclaimed for his side through a penalty.
Naivalu crossed for his first two minutes into the second half but again the Force responded as they drove the ball from a line-out before hooker Harry Scoble scrambled across.
Hard-running lock Lopeti Timani and Naivalu, who chimed in with his second try, blew out the lead to 27-15 before Morahan’s late effort.
On balance, the Rebels created more play than the Force and deserved the win. Lopeti Timani was lively, Stirzaker also helped open the game up by running more.
But the biggest difference was danger man Sefanaia Naivalu, who always looked damgerous on the ball.
For the Force, Adam Coleman continued his good from, and Chris Alcock proved a worthy replacement for Matt Hodgson. Luke Morahan was productive and Dane Haylett-Petty looked his usual, tidy self.
The Rebels will be happy with the win, but this match only serves to illustrate the gulf between the competition heavyweights, and the also rans.
The Rebels trail the front-running Brumbies and Waratahs by seven points in the Australian conference.
Final score
Rebels 27
Force 22
With AAP.
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