Rebels vs Stormers highlights: Stormers win 57-31

» Click here to read the full match report And that folks, definitely IS a wrap!!

Not quite a wrap... Robbie Fleck and Schalk Burger… Robbie delighted with the game “massively important win” Very happy with the smarter play in the 2nd half, by and large they were a lot more accurate as the game went on. Deliberately went for 6-2 split to try to dominate up front. Which obviously worked. Very happy with how the test players added intensity to the side. Jean-Luc Du Plessis is a very promising young player, sometimes hot and cold, but obviously had a great night out tonight. They’ll continue to develop him but don’t expect to see him as first choice if they make it through to the final matches. Credit to the Rebels for putting them under pressure for long patches. But in the end, their own set piece dominance saw them through. Burger quite surprised at how well the pitch stood up. Occasionally the props had a couple of problems, but overall it was fine. The caravan now moves on to Perth, they are expecting a hard match there, but for now are just delighted to tick this match off with a bonus point.

Thanks for the background SP. Yes this Du Plessis was very impressive tonight!

And that folks is a wrap... ... speaking of which, catch you on Monday morning for "The Wrap"

Melbourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan, from the press conference… A weary Sean McMahon limps in alongside him… Really proud of the effort after losing the two locks. Very happy to stay in the game at 31-31 but ran out of legs in the end. Thought defence and attack was good in the first half, but lost a few breakdowns and kick-offs early, then obviously ran into problems at set piece. Scrum struggled at the start, due to Stormers intent and organisation. But very happy with Laurie Weeks effort to steady things after that. Not sure about the injured players just yet. But stocks are starting to get a bit thin. Any tall people wanting a game in Christchurch next week might do well to hang around Rebels HQ tomorrow…. McMahon also proud of the effort. Was really tough after the yellow card. McGahan reluctant to single any of his players out, he felt that everyone gave their all, they were just undermanned in the end. Asked about how he sees the Stormer’s prospects for the finals he plays a straight bat. They’re obviously in with a good chance, and things might come down to the effects of travel etc… But he did think that the NZ sides will be hard to beat

Match Summary The Stormers will be delighted to leave Melbourne with a bonus point victory 57-31 against a brave but very undermanned Rebels side. The Rebels kept themselves in the match early thanks to a sparkling backline try by Sefanaia Naivalu, and a sharp blindside dash by halfback Ben Meehan. This matched a great individual contribution by Stormers flyhalf Jean-Luc Du Plessis who scored a try and nailed plenty of kicks. Things turned sour for the Rebels however when they lost both of their locks to injury. It must be said that the Stormers scrum was totally dominant anyway, but once Jordy Reid went to lock, and the lineout resembled the Seven Dwarves in Rebels kit, there was always only going to be one result. With the halftime score 23-17 the Rebels did remarkably well to hang in for the next quarter. But tries to Jonah Placid and Jack Debreczini weren’t enough to stem the tide as tries flowed just as quickly at the other end. Damien De Allende, Eben Etzebeth, Leolin Zas, Nic Groom and Siyabonga Ntubeni all crossed during the 2nd half, marking the Stormers dominance in all facets of play. They did not always look like a true finals team, but nevertheless they did what they had to and will be delighted with the result. Veteran Schalk Burger was in everything and Eben Etzebeth a colossus in the lineout and in loose play. Jean-Luc Du Plessis looks like a very nice prospect for the Stormers, highly skilled and keen to vary his play. For the Rebels, a really brave effort, Meehan was good at halfback and Reece Hodge linked with a lot of confidence. Tom English too, ran very strongly. But at the end of the day, they were always pushing up a very steep hill, with so many small forwards on the park. Hopefully none of the injuries are serious otherwise it will be a tough last couple of weeks on the road. Crowd was 8.027. Obviously a lot of folk home watching the election coverage! And a shout out too to Amy Perrett who got through the match well – may there be many more to come! All in all a very entertaining match, played on, wait for it…. a dry pitch with sure footing, which provided no issues!! Final score STORMERS 57 REBELS 31

Back soon with the final summary and the wash-up from the press conference from downstairs. i expect Rebels coach Tony McGahan will be very concerned about his injury count.

2nd half: 80’’ It's still a penalty Stormers and Du Plessis kicks to the corner for one last lineout drive. The maul is on... pen advantage... but it's not required as replacement hooker NTUBENI BURROWS IN AT THE BACK OF THE MALL FOR THE FINAL TRY!! Du Plessis with the final conversion.... IT'S GOOD!! REBELS 31 STORMERS 57

2nd half: 79’’ Rebels don't deserve 50 against them, they've been manful considering how undermanned they've been up front! Have really liked Du Plessis' game tonight. He's a talented all-round footballer. Kick off fails to go 10m. Stormers kick, Rebels back in possession but it breaks down. Gardner doesn't like Inman's strong tackle and wants to have a look. Doesn't look like much in that! REBELS 31 STORMERS 50

2nd half: 75’’ Rebels battling away, some nice hit ups, they go right, but the ball pops up AND IS EASILY INTERCEPTED BY ZAS, WHO PUTS ON ZE GAS... and runs away for an EASY TRY!! Du Plessis, easy from in front! REBELS 31 STORMERS 50

Hey Chook, it's been entertaining that's for sure. You're a late voter. Something dodgy going on there?

2nd half: 73’’ Rebels feed attacking 5m scrum. Set move towards the posts. Left, only 2m out... they probe again... advantage... quick tap... only inches out... now they go right but Reid spills it!!! That's because he's a lock now, not a flanker... Stormers clear to halfway. REBELS 31 STORMERS 43

2nd half: 70’’ Rebels barely hanging on here. But a huge bust up the middle by replacement Paul Asquith, although it comes to nothing... Rebels replacement at half, Snowden on for Meehan - who has been very good tonight. Crisp passing and he took his try well. REBELS 31 STORMERS 43