Melbourne’s travel woes continued as they fell to the high-flying Blues 40-23 in their Super Rugby clash on Good Friday in Auckland.
The Rebels have only managed one away win in their debut season and, despite an improved performance on last week’s awful effort against the Highlanders, they couldn’t match the Blues.
Melbourne suffered another disruption to their preparation when in-form centre Mark Gerrard suffered a hamstring problem during their final training run, forcing a backline reshuffle.
They got to within five points in the second half, trailing 28-23, before a try by Blues centre Jared Payne in the 74th minute sealed the result.
The boot of Stephen Brett, replacing regular Blues five-eighth Luke McAlister in the starting side, almost cost his side the game, missing 14 points worth of conversions and penalties before McAlister entered the fray.
Two tries by electric winger Rene Ranger, in the third and 13th minutes, put the visitors on the back foot early.
Melbourne five-eighth Danny Cipriani, defending in the centres, raced up quickly out of the line which left the Rebels short out wide and Ranger spotted the gap and dashed to the line.
He showed his range of skills in his second try when he toed ahead a ball after a break by halfback Alby Mathewson, beating Melbourne’s Gareth Delve and Nick Phipps on this way to the line.
The home side added another try, through All Black winger Joe Rokocoko, before the Rebels crossed for the first time in the 21st minute.
Their own winger Cooper Vuna showed he could match the opposition when he beat a host of would-be defenders in a brilliant individual effort.
The Rebels continued their fight-back through another try to winger Lachlan Mitchell and with Cipriani adding the extras, they were only three points down.
Brett finally found his range for the home side to trail 23-17 at the break.
Blues centre Benson Stanley crossed in the 47th minute but Melbourne refused to give up the fight.
They toiled hard but couldn’t break through for a much-needed try with the Blues again taking control of the match
The home side scored two tries in the final 10 minutes, through Payne and then Luke Braid to wrap up the match.
Jo
Guest
First year for the Rebels, and I think they will do well despite this result. The scrum penalties were a joke and overall the scrum rules need to be revised! There were bigger players who did not attempt to tackle and others who had to race across to try and cover, the full back issue was a problem and centre partnership needs to be looked at so I don't think the defence problems can all be down to Cips!! Kaino was definately a handful and the 'slapdown' was 1 of many points the Ref missed .. ; (
Glenn Condell
Guest
Cipriani kicked better than Brett, and he can run, but my thought earlier in the season that he might give the Pom selectors food for thought has been shelved. He is hopeless in contact (the try last night from his turnover only a more obvious example of a trend) and his defence is the competition's worst in terms of missed tackles. He has provided some good direction and kicked very well, but I am not impressed with his attitude to his teammates, especially Nick Phipps. Right from the start he has felt it his prerogative to glare at or scold or otherwise get all sniffy with his half for the odd loose pass, yet he'd get far more loose passes with most other halfs and in any case he himself makes far more mistakes. It's that Gavin Henson syndrome, the rest of you are just here to make me look good, etc. Players like this go missing under pressure, so monobrow Johnson will I think wisely give him a wide berth. How good was Gareth Delve though? Wales must be looking at him for the Cup - yards in contact, good defence, lineouts and restarts, good leadership, etc. Lipman too has been a good buy, and Saffy rounds out a willing back row. They did find Kaino a handful, but who doesn't?
Moaman
Guest
I agree with you Marissa---Haven't seen the Blues play anything like their opener against the Crusaders since that game. Some Thoughts; Mathewson was ordinary last night....hesitant & some of his passes Brett had to take at fingertips ankle-height;thats no way to ignite a backline. Goal-kicking woes seemed to get the better of Brett who hitherto has been very solid.He looked like he was in melt-down mode when he muffed that last sitter.Ranger has to grow some sideways vision or clean his ears out! Poor old Toeava once again ignored after running up in support. Delve had a beauty..was everywhere in the 2nd half and looked to lead the Rebels into a winning position late in the match.Mortlock appeared what he is-a battle-scarred old champion past his prime but still capable of inspiring those around him.I'd be happy to see him in Gold at the WC.Up front Ged & Sumo were all class as was Kevan Mealamu.
RebFan
Guest
Great game, but the Blues really did let them back in it, silly penalties, dropped balls. Rebels needed to score when Toeava dropped that kick about 10 out from his tryline, instead the Rebels lost it and blew it, this was when they were only 5 points down. A try there would of won them the game. Brett's kicking was atrocious, i was thinking WTF? when he missed that conversion from in front. Think that will scratch him out of AB thoughts, although his general play is good. As Justin Marshall said that is the nature of being a goal kicker, have a good game directing your backline but miss most of your kicks you are deemed to have had a poor game.
Harry
Guest
Scrum penalties and really poor defence especially in the 1st half, sunk the Rebs last night. Pity Gerard not fit.
Marissa
Guest
It astounds me how much one player can lift a team. The Rebels are a completely different team when Mortlock is on the park. For a period there they were really pushing the Blues, then again the Blues really went off the Boil for a while. I'm struggling to see how they will push on to the title playing 20-30 mins of footy.