The Melbourne Rebels’ quest for their first Super Rugby win abroad has fallen tantalisingly close with a 33-30 defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Fullback Jason Woodward scored with only four minutes remaining, which he converted to give his side a chance of victory but they couldn’t find the points they desperately sought.
Rocked by the loss of five-eighth Bryce Hegarty in only the second minute, the Rebels scrambled to level with the home side early in the second half before the Highlanders again kicked away.
Hegarty fell heavily and suffered concussion while taking a high ball and the Rebels were almost left without a play-maker altogether when his replacement, Angus Roberts, also suffered a head knock.
He was cleared to continue and even managed a brilliant second half try that was set up by Scott Higginbotham.
The Melbourne skipper took an intercept as the Highlanders threatened the tryline and charged downfield.
He then showed his rugby smarts to kick ahead in-field, with Roberts beating Lima Sopoaga in the chase for the ball.
Woodward’s conversion locked up the scoreboard at 20-20 after 45 minutes but the Highlanders hit the lead just two minutes later through a successful penalty strike by sharpshooter Sopoaga.
It was further extended with a try by All Blacks fullback Ben Smith.
While the Rebels were searching for their first ever win overseas, the Highlanders were looking to end an unwanted record – having lost their previous six encounters with Australian teams over the past two years.
The visitors got off to a promising start and built pressure on the Highlanders through 10 phases before halfback Nic Stirzaker drew Ben Smith and then offloaded a backhand pass to Scott Fuglistaller.
Both teams were willing to test their arms in attack, with the Highlanders’ Test halfback Aaron Smith a constant danger.
After a try by flanker Shane Christie and then Aaron Smith they pushed the lead out to 20-10 through a penalty kick by Sopoago.
The Rebels hammered the Highlanders tryline in the dying minutes rather than kick a penalty and it looked like they would finish empty-handed when they turned the ball over.
Woodward had other ideas but it wasn’t enough for a breakthrough result.
The Rebels last season overcame a 24-point deficit to beat the Highlanders 38-37 at AAMI Park but there was no repeat on Friday night.
Coach Tony McGahan lamented their inability to clear the ball from their 22 with their woeful kicking game putting unwanted pressure on the side.
“We fought really well all night on both sides of the ball but unfortunately every time we scored points we were unable to exit our bottom end and that put us under pressure and they were able to get points pretty easily,” McGahan said
“It’s a big one for use to lose and we need to make sure our nines, 10s and 15s are controlling that part of the field.”
He said that Hegarty had recovered well but concussion protocol would dictate whether he would be available for their clash with the champion Chiefs next round.
Despite the win, halfback Smith was in no mood to celebrate his 50th game for the Highlanders.
“It was an awesome night but I’m gutted, I gave them two tries and I’m pretty gutted about that.
“We were humming along and just silly mistakes, missed tackle and an intercept, wrecked my night,” he told Fairfax.
“We got the win in the end and I’m just very happy the boys showed some spirit in that last 10 minutes.”
PiratesRugby
Guest
For what it's worth, I'd take Parisse over Morgan any day.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ PiratesRugby : IMO he plays more like Parisse than Morgan (england). One is a very athletic guy with skills of a back (like kicking flick passes steps etc) while the other is a old school tight forward. H'botham made a try for a back with that kick. People seem to underestimate that skill - but just for fun, try running at a reasonable pace and kicking a rugger ball at the right pace to keep it in play. The problem with the rugger ball is , it is oval so depending on how u make contact , it can go in directions u dont even think of.
PiratesRugby
Guest
I go to the home games and I think Higginbithams leadership and impact are more obvious. He's there to do the hard stuff and takes the opposition pack head on. He makes the big hits on forwards trying to run the ball. He rucks and counter-rucks. He chases kicks. He's athletic and often finds himself in space because he's made a break. Perhaps that's what gives some the impression that he doesn't play tight enough. Either that or they've just taken a set against him and no matter what he does, they won't be happy.
In Brief
Guest
I would be interested how many penalties do in fact result from poor discipline and how many are pedantic decisions from the referee. I thought the Pillock was very harsh.
In Brief
Guest
I would be interested how many penalties do in fact result from poor discipline and how many are pedantic decisions from the referee. I thought the Pillock was very harsh.
WEST
Roar Guru
Glad to see one of the NZ teams showing some initiative. A Smith had a great game. His fast pace attacking ability created some great momentum with His quick reactions he keeps his Forward pack rolling up the field. The faster he gets the faster their attack becomes. Lets hope he doesn't slow down anytime soon. Or his forwards become to lazy. Ben Smith another good display. Any win for this team is a good win. Hurricanes in Napier today, Lets hope unlike the Blues they have prepared themselves by turning on the stuff between their ears.
Highlander
Guest
That's the sort of view you get watching the game on TV and not from row J. While he is a quality line out forward and is a skilled ball player he adds almost zero physicality to the contest. If the Wallabs are going to play hooper at 7, and they will, you can't afford a seagull, constantly fringing, running 2/3 channels out in the 6 or 8 jersey. Big games and tests are won at the gain line and from what I have seen this year, and last night - this isn't the guy that is going to help a side do that.
Sam
Guest
Rebels have been far more positive and cohesive this year. I believe Stirzaker's the 9 we ultimately want. He's looked pretty good this year, I think last night he just had a poor game. One thing I thought was good last night was depth. Yes structurally they struggled after Hegarty went off. I would have liked to see Male Sau at 10.
Stray Gator
Guest
Good points, Sixo, but in Stirzo's defence, Heggarty leaving the field at the four minute mark was a big part of the reason for the load shift. Last week it was much more Hegarty directing things. But your point is well made generally. And Adsa, I agree, but that's the trade-off with a young team. We'll keep improving our decision-making as we gain big match experience. And, BB, do you see Higgers figuring in Link's plans and, if so, where?
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
He did BB. It was probably the scrum halves, both Stirzaker and then Burgess whose poor service, kicking and decision making which was the difference. The boys were more than willing, but the pivots let them down. Makes you wonder about our halves in Oz though. In the heat of the game surely the flyhalf (at least) would be making decisions for whomever is retrieving the ball so that the service from the ruck is crisp. It is our teams who require (or more appositely - allow) them to regularly make tactical decisions that struggle with breaking down an opposition's defences. Pressure there is the most effective. Later on, even the Brumbies were made to look a little bit aimless when Nick White started popping his head up and consequently his service was slower giving the defence time to reset. (For the trolls: Yes they won but without a bonus point).
Adsa
Guest
Rebels gave away too many points to penalties, if they can tighten the discipline then they will be a more complete outfit.
I thought Higginbotham had a great game.