The Melbourne Rebels will host the two time champion Chiefs at AAMI Park. Join The Roar from 7:35pm AESTfor live scores and updates.
The Rebels have been unlucky of late, failing to close out a close game against the Waratahs in Round 11. That game however did announce Jack Debreczeni as a player of real class.
The side has shown how dangerous they can be at home this year, will look to exploit the Chiefs who were disappointing against the Western Force last week.
The Chiefs will field their strongest team, injuries permitting, as they continue on their Australasian tour.
Dave Rennie has signalled his side’s championship intentions starting Andrew Horrell, James Lowe, Pauiasi Manu, Ben Tameifuna and Michael Fitzgerald as well as All Black incumbent Liam Messam.
While a number of Rennie’s changes affect the forward pack it is the Chief’s mid-field that will likely inflict the most damage if the Waikato franchise fires. While the loss of Aaron Cruden is undoubtedly a loss the return of Sonny Bill and Tim Nanai-Williams is enough to have any defence shaking.
Include in form centre Charlie Ngatai and the Rebels centre combination of Mitch Inman and Tamati Ellison could have their work cut out for them.
For the Rebels, the deadlocked assassin Jordy Reid will start his first game for the season with Scott Fuglistaller rested due to concussion. Tom English and Tony McGahan have also returned to the run-on XV.
With the exclusion of All Blacks lock and 2014 World Player of the Year Brodie Retallick out due to injury, the imposing Rebels second row of Timani and Jones will look to dominate, and if they do the Chiefs will have a hard time containing them. The duo have been immense this year, and have destroyed oppositions on offense with a mixture of powerful running and deft skills not normally seen in the second-row engine room.
The Rebels currently sit third in the Australian conference, and while it is unlikely that the will progress to the competition finals sitting 10 points behind the second place Waratahs in the Australian conference and 11th overall, this season has been positive for the franchise.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, will be looking to solidify their finals hopes, currently sitting one point behind the New Zealand conference and competition topping Hurricanes. A big win tonight will signal to the rest of the competition that the Chiefs mean business.
Join The Roar from 7:35pm for all of the action in what should be a great game of rugby.
Trans Tasman Diplomat
Guest
Thank you to so many chiefs fans, and kiwi fans of other franchises, who are providing almost as much entertainment on this site, as was the game itself. It could be construed as home town reffing if you really want to see it that way. But there are other ways. Throwing all your toys out of the cot isn't one of them. But it's fun to watch. There's always next week, and later there's the Bledisloe. It's not like NZ sides are ALWAYS unlucky with referees. Btw did anyone see the yellow in the Blues/Force game? Did anyone watch the Blues/Force game? I'm not saying the Chiefs were fairly treated. I'm just saying - 'Who is?' I have been pleading for neutral refs for years. The 'maturity' on show after kiwi victories, seems to have missed the rumway at Tullamarine.
Mark
Guest
Ref didnt have a clue What do you expect from a convict
RedsKing
Guest
Different times, people need to have clean, metro looking haircuts now.
colvin
Guest
I've been saying for years that the results of too many matches are determined by the referee and not the players. Rugby people, being the people they are, are saying that, well, if we can't adjust to the referee's interpretations then we are at fault. But rugby administration is at fault because it is not addressing the issues and it is endangering a great sport by not doing so. We somehow need to get to the situation where the best team on the day wins. That is too often not currently happening because of bad laws and inconsistent interpretation.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Only when ref'ed by an Aussie... *S*
WQ
Guest
Just watched a replay of this match, anybody on here that is not disappointed by the standard of Refereeing in that match is clearly biased. He quite simply was only Reffing one side!
RobC
Roar Guru
Missed the match. Looks like Brett nailed it. Although Cruden and Brodie were out, I still would have thought Chiefs would tear through the Rebs midfield. Rebs did a good job with their phase play: - Leafa's LO threw straight? - Lees tough day in the office? Anyway, its a round of some of upsets this week.
Zero Gain
Guest
Fair enough. The Chiefs are undoubtably one of the best provincial rugby teams of all time so I see the Rebels win through that background. Rebels played well, for them, Chiefs not so well, for them. The referee was generally pretty poor, I agree.
dirtyrottenscoundrel
Guest
Far too easy trying to hang that effort on anyone other than the Chiefs. The first yellow may have looked a tad soft, but you cant kick a guy on the deck. 2nd yellow should have come in the first half for Messam… he dodged a bullet there so the final one was a no-brainer. Was surprised a penalty try wasn’t given. Now how can you blame a ref for the above? Not to mention the one man hit-ups (almost league), poor ruck work and constant offside. Yeah the ref may not be one of the more accomplished running around, but he cant be blamed for the attitude served up.
Zero Gain
Guest
But the ref did not decide the result, the teams clearly did (and a certain missed conversion). Maybe you should be upset with your teams below par performance for them.
sheek
Roar Guru
It's amusing that rugby fans should complain about the influence of the ref. Insert any two teams from any comp, anytime in history, & presto, same-o, same-o. Everyone knows there is too much interpretation problems with the laws, but too few actually want to do anything about simplifying things. Consequently, we get what we deserve.
Uncle Eric
Guest
It is very hard to watch a game where the referee has, deliberately or through incompetence, had so much influence. SANZAR just doesn't seem to get it, if refs aren't neutral then there is always going to be a sniff of favouritism. I believe he refereed the rolling mauls very poorly, only penalising the one team for coming in on the side or swimming. The call to disallow the try from Charlie Ngatai was a poor one, then compounding it for sending off James Lowe was farcical. Rather spoilt what could have been a very competitive match. I think Andrew Lees may find himself running touch for a while.
Handles
Roar Guru
You mean his "George Smith" hair? Didn't seem to get in his way.
Jerry
Guest
Retallick's absence was just as important IMO. They couldn't boss the middle of the park like they have been.
PM
Guest
You will not get a Kiwi to say anything good about Australian mate. They don't mind working here and ripping us of with their Pacific Islander cousins but realistically hate us otherwise. As for the Rebels / Chiefs game the young guy McMahon for the Rebels was the show of the night. Cannot understand why they left him on when he was seriously distressed. Dragged himself back into the line of defence. Incredible young man. Hope his injury is not as bad as it looked.
Ben Gibbon
Roar Guru
No worries mate, here for the roar community
PM
Guest
You guys can whinge and bitch all you like. But how tough is the young fellow McMahon. Could not walk but dragging himself back into the line to bridge the gap. That kid is a tough as they come. Reminds me of Ray Price from the old rugby league days. Hope his injury is not to serious. We need him and lads like him for the Wallaby campaign this year.
RedsKing
Guest
is Jordy better than Pocock? Probably, but his hair means he won't even be considered.
RedsKing
Guest
Go have a cry chiefs fans! The last try of the game should have been penalized because he was part of the ruck, in fact he wasn't just part of the ruck, he was the ruck. He was the only player bridging over. Chiefs shouldn't have ever been in the game.
Cynical Play
Guest
insightful and correct, in my view.