Rebels could be Super Rugby's joker in the pack

There were several great performances among the teams in Super Rugby this week, but it was the efforts of the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night that provided the highlight of Round 3.

They were excellent against the Cheetahs at AAMI Park, blowing them away by 35-14.

Many had predicted the Rebels would beat the Cheetahs but it was the margin of the win, along with their composed and controlled performance, that was most impressive. If the Cheetahs were the surprise team of 2013, then the Rebels could very well be 2014’s joker in the pack.

The Rebels have certainly acquired well during the off-season under new head coach Tony McGahan.

The signings of centre Tamati Ellison from the Highlanders and scrum half Luke Burgess after his stint at Toulouse have added much-needed experience to the side.

Under McGahan the Rebels wanted to make a fresh start and wash away the troubles of the past, hence the release of James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale and Cooper Vuna, who were all involved in off-field dramas.

During the pre-season games the Rebels showed they buy into what McGahan is trying to do, defeating the Waratahs and Hurricanes before narrowly losing to the Queensland Reds.

Many wondered if the Rebels could replicate their promising pre-season performances in Super Rugby.

With Round 2 being a bye for the Rebels, and only the South African franchises playing each other in Round 1, their first game wasn’t until Round 3 against the Cheetahs. It was certainly worth the long wait.

The Rebels were brilliant in defence and attack. They nullified the Cheetahs’ notorious free-running offence, restricting them to two tries that both came from the South African wrecking machine that is the rolling maul.

But while the Cheetahs failed to sparkle, not helped by getting pilfered too many times at the breakdown, it would be the Rebels that would show their exciting and expansive attacking side.

By half-time the home side were 17-0 up, running in three tries via Lachlan Mitchell, Jason Woodward and Burgess.

Burgess’ try was opportunistic from one of his clever sniping runs, while Mitchell’s effort a few minutes into the game was engineered by good continuity from forwards and backs that helped keep the move alive.

The Rebels gained momentum and caused the Cheetahs defence to be thin on the wings, leading to Mitchell scoring in the corner.

But Woodward’s score was the pick of the first-half tries, which came about from an excellent pinpoint cross-field kick by Scott Higginbottom, who enjoyed an excellent game in defence and attack.

He capped off his performance with a wonderful try late in the second half that started in the Rebels’ own 22 via a turnover. After surging downfield and showing composure to keep the ball alive, the ball came to Higginbottom on the Cheetahs’ 22.

Like something out of a Hollywood movie, the skipper angelically ran (or swerved) to the try line using the length of the pitch before fending off Jean Cook to score in the corner.

Higginbottom’s try secured the bonus point that how good the Rebels had been. They showed commitment, determination and guts – all things they lacked last season.

The Rebels are fast becoming the side that could spring many a surprise to teams this season. Among the backs, Tom English, Jason Woodward, Ellison and Mitchell are good players who work hard for each other.

The halfback pairing, meanwhile, oozes experience and youthful exuberance.

The experience comes in the form of Burgess whose stint in Toulouse no doubt helped him. If his good form continues he will gain the attention of the Wallabies.

The youthful exuberance comes in the form of Bryce Hegarty – the young 21-year-old fly-half who impressed at the tail end of last season and against the Cheetahs on Friday.

Among the forwards there may not be many household names but there is no doubt they work hard as a unit, led by  Higginbottom (receiving the captaincy on a permanent basis after Gareth Delve’s departure) who is also putting himself up for Wallabies selection.

Last season he showed his credentials by scoring an impressive six tries in 14 games – stats you would see among the backs.

But what’s impressive about Tony McGahan is his willingness to blood youth into the side.

Against the Cheetahs he started 19-year-old Sean McMahon at blindside flanker, 21-year-old Bryce Hegarty at fly-half and had 21-year-old scrum half Ben Meehan come on off the bench.

There is also 20-year-old fly-half Jack Debreczeni, who has come from their extended playing squad and is highly regarded.

But if the Rebels want to push forward this season they will need to tighten their defence and show people they are the real deal.

Their stats last season made for grim reading, conceding 65 tries overall. Though impressive in defence against the Cheetahs they will need to continue that form in their upcoming fixtures.

Next week the Rebels travel to Perth to face the Western Force, a side who decide to perform in games once they have no chance of winning, as they proved against the Waratahs and Brumbies.

If the Rebels want to show their win against the Cheetahs was no fluke they will have to beat the Force. If there is one thing a coach dislikes in his team it is inconsistency.

The Rebels’ next two games after their trip to Perth are hard propositions – home to the Crusaders and away to the Waratahs. If the Rebels can replicate their performance against the Cheetahs then the Crusaders and Waratahs will be in a real battle.

But the Rebels do resemble a growing force in Super Rugby – if not for this season then definitely for the future.

That can only be a good thing for the ARU, as a successful club brings higher attendance, which means an increase in revenue.

It looks like the franchise, after a bumpy start since entering Super Rugby 2011, are finally rebels with a cause.