The good or the bad? To the relief of coach Rod Macqueen, it was the good Rebels who turned up against the Hurricanes for their Super Rugby match in Melbourne.
In six rounds of Super Rugby the newcomers have delivered at both ends of the scale in roughly equal portions.
Last round the “bad” Rebels were humiliated 53-3 by Queensland but the “good” Rebels showed up at the Stockade – as they have dubbed AAMI Park – to triumph 42-25 over the Hurricanes.
After a slow start Melbourne excelled all over the park, with second-rower Al Campbell scoring two tries, non-stop halfback Nick Phipps a star, while English five-eighth Danny Cipriani again impressed.
Former Test prop Rodney Blake scored in his Rebels debut, his first Super match since 2008 when he last played for Queensland, and Welsh No.8 Gareth Delve worked tirelessly.
“It was a very different performance from last week, except for those opening 17 minutes,” said Macqueen, who rated it as the most complete performance by his forwards this season.
“Occasionally when we put it together we’re a good side.”
The World Cup-winning coach thought that being a new side, with a large turnover of players due to injury had contributed to the inconsistency.
The Hurricanes looked like they would run away with the match as they scored the opening three tries to lead 17-0 after 17 minutes, with the Rebels missing almost as many tackles.
But the home side, in front of almost 17,000 vocal fans, regained their composure and when Cipriani booted a penalty from the halfway line, they had the game locked up 20-20 at the break.
Rebels skipper Stirling Mortlock said last week’s disappointment contributed to their fight-back.
“How disappointed we were last week was the spark,” Mortlock said.
Any sniff the Hurricanes had of regaining control of the match was quickly extinguished with the home side starting the second half the same way they finished the first.
They threw everything at the Wellington outfit, making the most of their quick ball with Campbell’s second try coming in the 49th minute.
Winger Cooper Vuna then got in on the act, firstly scoring one for himself and then standing up the defence before he got a ball back inside for impressive halfback Phipps to touch down.
With Cipriani adding the extras the Rebels were out to 42-20 and the match was theirs for the keeping.
The Hurricanes showed some spirit to add a late try through reserve hooker Dane Coles to claim a bonus point but it was the Rebels celebrating the night.
Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett said his players didn’t “take ownership”.
“Things were easy and we thought it would stay easy,” he said.
“If we don’t do something it’s going to be a difficult year but we can do it.”
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.
Turns out loyalties are divided in the Shields house between dad and Jordie Barrett.
Peter Lakai got the perfect response just moments after Moana Pasifika scored the first try of the second half.
By my count, the Brumbies have played three teams of consequence this season. The first two - the Chiefs and Blues - thrashed them…
Embarrassed by the Blues a week ago, the ACT Brumbies have responded in the best possible fashion by knocking over the previously unbeaten Hurricanes…
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has announced a sabbatical to play with Irish club Leinster at year's end, while committing his future to New…
There are those who will forever play the man - and not the ball - where TJ Perenara is concerned. The All Blacks and…
