Match Result It wasn’t the greatest game as a spectacle but it was a slugfest and it was the Rebels who were willing to work harder and they got the reward for their effort.
Three yellow cards were handed out throughout the game with two to the Rebels with Stirzaker and McMahon going to the sin bin while Drummond went to the sin bin for the Crusaders.
Timani was outstanding for the Rebels and insult to injury for the Crusaders who look like they will lose Dan Carter for a while with a leg injury. Jack Debreczeni also failed the concussion test and didn’t return following the 18th minute.
All in all a famous victory for the Rebels who in their fifth season finally claim a win outside of Australia!
Rebels 20 defeated Crusaders 10
Preview
The wait is over! The 2015 Super Rugby season kicks off with a cross conference battle with New Zealand powerhouse the Crusaders out to atone the Demons of last year’s Grand Final defeat against the Waratahs. They start this season against a new look Melbourne Rebels outfit who will look to an electrifying youngster for their spark in 2015.
Join us here on The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEDT).
It was a devastating end to 2014 for the Crusaders who watched painfully as Bernard Foley slotted a penalty to dagger any hopes of a eighth Super Rugby crown. In three trial games so far the Crusaders haven’t been able to put a successful result together, however this year feels very different to previous seasons.
Unlike previous years the Crusaders will have both Dan Carter and Richie McCaw available from the start of the season. It is also the first time in three years that the Crusaders will have played in the first round of the season.
In 2013 the Crusaders started their season in Round 3 off the back of consecutive byes and were defeated convincingly by the Blues, and last year the Crusaders began their season with an 18-10 loss to the Chiefs.
During those years both Carter and McCaw took sabbaticals and returned later in the year, but Todd Blackadder has the luxury of being able to play both from Round 1 this year. However with that experience there is also a host of players unavailable for the Crusaders.
Experienced players and All Blacks including Kieran Read, Israel Dagg, Sam Whitelock and Andy Ellis. They will also be without Fijian Flyer Nemani Nadolo who despite finishing his duties in Japan won’t be available for this opening round fixture.
Across the Tasman it’s an optimistic year for the Rebels, the much maligned Australian franchise has been a big underachiever in recent years, but a promising young fly half and some new signings could be the beginning of something new in Victoria.
Jack Debreczeni showed all the quality that he possesses during the inaugural National Rugby Championship. He has already been given the vote of confidence Tony McGahan who has already come out in the media and said that Debreczeni will have first go at playing fly half this season.
While it may take some time for Debreczeni to find his feet there is some optimism from the Rebels who have surrounded the young half with experienced players.
Despite losing Jason Woodward to the Hurricanes the Rebels have added former Reds Dom Shipperley, Mike Harris and Jonah Placid as well as the never-ageing Radike Samo who will add some much needed experience to the Rebels.
McGahan will also be looking for further improvements from Wallabies Sean McMahon, Laurie Weeks and Luke Jones. McMahon in particular was good on the Wallabies European tour and the Rebels will need him at his best to be competitive this year.
Prediction: I think the Crusaders will have too much quality in this one at home however I’m predicting a close game.
Crusaders by 6.
Jenny Goldberg
Guest
Crusaders v Rebels - I love a good Rugby match BUT - the Crusaders are so often off side and not penalised. Good tight game few fumbles of the ball from both teams - early days - good win for the Rebels
44bottles
Roar Guru
"Diplomat"
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
From the looks of the Brumbies vs Reds game, the Brumbies would give any side a run for their money.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well the most inevitable result was DC getting injured. Can't take much from a Saders early season match in terms of form. Theyre far and away the most consistent finishers. Rebels did seem to have a few kiwis in there it seemed. They look good on attack though.
West
Guest
Good start Crusaders well done!!! Rebels certainly deserved that win. Carter is stuffed, good buy Racin Metro hope they don't have a case of buyer remorse after the SR season. First round.... Just 17 to go. Hope Chiefs vs Blues is more exciting than that crap!!! A lot of head shaking in the South Island tonight.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
14th via points differential.
Harry Jones
Expert
From STUFF NZ: The Crusaders certainly had their chances; captain Matt Todd spurned several kickable penalties as they hunted for a try late in the game and tighthead Owen Franks lost the ball as he lunged for a try which, if converted, would have brought them back to within three points.
Harry Jones
Expert
Brent Ford is the best live blogger in Super Rugby 2015.
Harry Jones
Expert
The Blues are my NZ team So They'll probably lose
Harry Jones
Expert
NZ Is the worst performing nation in Super Rugby 2015
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
On the downside my team lost. On the upside I picked the Rebels! BAHAHAHA!! The Crusaders have been terrible at the start of the year every year and the Rebels are usually a flash outta the pan at the start of the season. I don't know how I feel right now.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
Hold up, the Blues haven't played yet...
Harry Jones
Expert
Haha!
Harry Jones
Expert
The Crusaders are the worst performing team in Super Rugby in 2015.
ethan
Guest
I second Timani. I noticed he picked up a slight injury in the second half. As soon as he did the rebels scrum went backwards, when before it had been dominant. This makes me think Timani (when uninjured) made a huge deal of difference in the scrum, although perhaps it was the change in prop to Alo-Emile. Will be interesting to see in coming weeks… Ellison was good, Stirzaker was good, English and Harris had a few nice involvments. McMahon was good but for the (dubious) yellow card. Does anyone else think Tom English running style is similar to Greg Inglis? Not quite the same impact, but very similar style.
ethan
Guest
Birdy, Don't make your assessment on one game. You watched the first game of the season controlled by a whistle happy referee.
ethan
Guest
I always thought Carter could come back from his injuries. But after tonight I now well and truly think the opposite. The old body just doesn't hold up the way it used to. Still has the brilliant team management, but no longer the spark. Look forward to seeing him play his last year of SR. I don't think he will make the world cup.
Trans Tasman Diplomat
Guest
Agreed Gator. But unlike previous seasons, the visiting team sucked it up and rode over the ref and his 5,000 AR's and took control of the game. What did Harris do wrong tackling Saders fullback? Where was the early tackle? What was macmahon supposed to do when the ball exits the ruck? Wait for Saders to run past him? This ref was making laws up. He came good and balanced his game at the end when the Rebels refused to budge, but why do we have to put up with this ruination of contest? It annoys me whoever is playing. And what a clever dick McCaw is. Faking an injury to win a yellow. If this guy played cricket he'd be bowling underarm every over.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Well done Rebels, huge first up win. Saders always start slowly but always there at the pointy end. Great stuff Melbourne.
Bluey
Guest
Watching the Crusaders lose is still better than any NH game :D