The Melbourne Rebels secured a 5-point win over the Western Force on Sunday afternoon, though it came at the cost of a hamstring injury to Mike Harris.
Final score
Rebels 27
Force 22
The Melbourne Rebels host the Western Force in a rare Sunday afternoon fixture at AAMI Park, to close out Super Rugby’s Round 13. Catch all of the live scores and play action from 4:05pm AEST on The Roar.
While the Rebels still have a mathematical chance of claiming a finals wildcard spot, in reality both sides are playing for other reasons – to restore and enhance credibility, and to further promote the international prospects of Wallabies squad members such as Sean McMahon, Toby Smith, Adam Coleman and Dayne Haylett-Petty.
The Rebels have gained ground this season, and appeal as a solid, competent side, however they have lost their last three matches and will be desperate to right the ship at home, against the Australian conference cellar dwellers.
It will also be interesting to see how captain Nic Stirzaker reacts to being overlooked for Michael Cheika’s initial 39-man Wallabies squad. He has had an injury-plagued season but has been steadily working up to full capacity and should be ready to produce a strong performance.
For their part the Force come off a very disappointing match at home against the Blues, where, despite a favourable 15-3 penalty count, and numerous opportunities, they somehow failed to conjure a win.
Their strength is goal-kicking, a total success rate of 93.2 per cent easily the competition’s best. Try scoring however has proved more problematic, only 18 tries to date, compared to the Rebels’ 30. More worryingly, the Force has conceded 46 tries, including a whopping 20 in the final quarters of their matches.
All of which augurs badly, particularly with the loss of inspirational captain Matt Hodgson to a dislocated shoulder. At 162 tackles made, Hodgson leads competition all-comers by a street but, in his absence, where will the Force’s defence come from?
The Force also have serious injury/depth issues at fly-half and appear to be in a state of disarray compared to the Rebels, who are close to full strength.
Prediction
Rebels vs Force encounters are invariably tight, indeed only once in 11 meetings has the margin between these sides exceeded seven points. I expect this to change today, the home side to do it in a canter.
Rebels by 24.
Join The Roar this afternoon from 4:05pm AEST for scores, updates and debates, live from the ground.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
And the logic is off. Mumm doesn't even run the Waratahs line out, which is one of the worst in Super Rugby. He rarely steals line outs and he gives away plenty of penalties.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
And how far into the season are we ?? goodbye coach...
Boz the Younger
Guest
I hear Richard Graham is looking for a job.
Foley must go
Guest
For the love of rugby please please please sack Foley and follow a sound process to hire a winning coach -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Boz the Younger
Guest
Mumm is a given for test time this year because of who his Dad is, I can't believe that people are still incredulous about that. Agree on Hodge, Cheika said he wants the Wallabies to work on their support play and from what I can see he is the best support runner in the country. Should be a no brainer.
PeterK
Roar Guru
This game highlighted some stunning omissions. Timani a very physical effective game in tight. Cheika states he wants players who like the contact, the physicality yet he chooses Mumm over Timani. I get Mumm is there to call lineouts as well but both Fardy and Coleman can do if Simmons goes off. Naivalu showed his genuine pace and it is a must he gets a look in on the spring tour when he is eligible. Hodge showed a lot of class and talent and yes also his in.experience. What better way to hone Hodge than to include him in the squad and then on the spring tour or next year make the 23. He should replace Harris with Harris out injured.
Matty
Guest
How is he not there?! that's the question!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Click here for the full match report from this game That closes it off from AAMI Park this evening, 27-22 to the Rebels, thanks for joining and catch you again tomorrow morning for 'The Wrap'
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Tony McGahan Rebels coach Force are always tough to play, happy with the win. re Harris, it's a new injury, too early to tell how serious. He won't go to camp, will stay in Melb for treatment. He's a level headed guy, deserves his selection, hopefully he'll still get his chance down the track Same as for Foley, thrilled about his selected players, it's his job to promote guys to higher honours. Nick Stirzaker... found it easy to get motivated this week, unsurprising really, in fact the whole side had a great week. It was a conscious decision for him to run more in the 2nd half, to try to break down their defence. McGahan will use the next 4 weeks to get a lot of work done with the squad, that's the advantage of having low representation in the Wallabies, and he intends to take advantage of it. Only a couple of days off, before they have a good run at it. He started three opensides tonight mainly because he can, he has that flexibility in his squad and was keen to use it, particularly with Hodgson out. All in all, any win is a good win, there was some good rugby in there, and the side is really looking forward to finishing off strongly when they return, finals or no finals.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Lopeti Timani man of the match? But I agree, the Rebels are a middle of the table team.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
From the Media Room downstairs... Force coach Michael Foley; The story of the season, some good footy, but still no result. Very pleased with how his team came together after losing the captain this week. Didn't think there was much in the game, although the Rebels deserved to win. Feels like his team is improving, getting more comfortable using the ball than in the past. And they're starting to finish games better. Thrilled to see his players in the Wallabies squad, and individually they have gained more confidence. Example Morahan who took his first try really well. Over the break...?? A weeks' leave, then a 3 week build up in the last phase. To sum up, there's a lot of positivity about the game plan but it's still taking some time to master it.
Boz the Younger
Guest
If Mike Harris can't train with the Wallabies, perhaps they could bring Reece Hodge in? He clearly should be there anyway.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
and a good summary ...
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Cheers RT, glad you stuck it out, it wasn't always easy viewing!!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
FULLTIME In front of 8,823 people the Rebels have defeated the Force 27-22 in Melbourne. Both sides lacked imagination in the first half, thankfully the pace picked up in the 2nd. Mike harris spoiled his great week; after being named in Michael Cheika's Wallabies squad, he busted early, put Reece Hodge away for the opening try, but then promptly limped off with a hamstring twinge. hopefully it won't be too serious, but you'd have to think he's out of contention now for at least the first test against England. On balance, the Rebels created more play than the Force and deserved the win. Lopeti Timani was lively, Stirzaker also helped open the game up by running more. But the biggest difference was danger man Sefanaia Naivalu, who scored twice and always looked damgerous on the ball. For the Force, Adam Coleman continued his good from, and chris Alcock proved a worthy replacement for Matt Hodgson. Luke Morahan scored twice and Dane Haylett-Petty looked his usual, tidy self. The Rebels will be happy with the win, but this match only serves to illustrate the gulf between the competition heavyweights, and the also rans. Check in again in 20 minutes or so for the wash-up from the press conference downstairs. REBELS 27 FORCE 22
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks Allanthus for the blog -- good stuff ... reading back your blogs were more exciting than the game!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Well even though they won.... they really need to be planning for next year after the June break
Geoff Parkes
Expert
2nd half 80′ Force win lineout, punch into midfield, but Walton is penalised. That will be good night from John-Boy and Mary Ellen!!! REBELS CLEAR TO TOUCH AND THAT'S FULL TIME!!! REBELS 27 FORCE 22
Geoff Parkes
Expert
2nd half 79′ Meehan to feed on halfway. Will they attack or try to close it down??? Messy ball, hodge hits it up... now Timani... Placid busts, kicks ahead for Meehan... was that a late hit??? Force scramble on their line and win a penalty. Last chance now. REBELS 27 FORCE 22
Geoff Parkes
Expert
2nd half 76′ Coleman wins the lineout, but great work by Retallick who comes through the maul and earns a turnover. Many slaps on the back from his team!! REBELS 27 FORCE 22