The Blues have drawn first blood in 2017 Super Rugby, prevailing over a prematurely undermanned Rebels side in Melbourne, 56-18.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Rebels 18
Blues 56
Super Rugby for 2017 gets underway tonight, in what promises to be perfect conditions at AAMI Park in Melbourne, as the Rebels host the Blues. Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game starting from 7:45pm AEDT.
With plenty of attention and chatter around about the continued confusing and unwieldy structure of the Super Rugby competition, fans will be relieved to switch attention back to the on-field action.
As is customary for most sides at this time of the year, both teams go into tonight’s game on the back of expectations of finishing higher on the ladder this season. Blues coach Tana Umaga is another year wiser, and certainly his 2017 squad looks stronger on paper.
A feature of tonight’s side is a bench laden with firepower; the prospect of Charlie Faumuina, George Moala and Rene Ranger all entering the match in the second half a daunting prospect for the home side.
Much interest will also centre on the prodigious twin talents of Akira and Reiko Ioane, both of who hint at long All Black careers ahead of them.
The Rebels meanwhile start the season far more inconvenienced by injury than coach Tony McGahan would prefer, this week losing international front rowers Toby Smith and James Hanson, and promising Wallabies 2016 debutant Sefanaia Naivalu. With star player Sean McMahon also missing the early rounds, squad depth is going to be tested early.
Disappointingly, it also means that Wallabies No.8 Lopeti Timani will start the season plugging a hole at lock, although the upside is that the talented Amanaki Mafi will take his place in the back row.
As expected, Jack Debreczini will start the season at fullback, paving the way for the Melbourne debut of Jackson Garden-Bachop at flyhalf. Fans will be keen to see him bring consistency and stability to the playmaker role.
Another exciting debutant is young winger Jack Maddocks, there should be no reason why he and the other outside backs from both sides don’t see plenty of action.
Referee Angus Gardner comes fresh from his foray into the 6 Nations big league, making a good fist of England versus France at Twickenham.
All five previous meetings between these two sides have gone the way of the home side. The Rebels, too, have won their last four season openers.
Despite the injuries, that’s enough for me to tip the game their way – Rebels by 6.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game starting from 7:45pm AEDT.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
'Wee brother' while only 19, is 6'3" in the old scale!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks Geoff ... and loved your comments in the blog .. "after the match, but having watched"
Celtic334
Guest
Went to the game. Very frustrating. The rebels gave more points away than the blues earned. However on saying that credit to ththe blues they were clearly superior. Point no1. Kicking was horrendous out of hand. Point no2. The rebels inability to handle the high ball was shocking. Point 3. JGB ino it was his first game and happy to give him more opportunities but was just about the worst player on the field. Point 4. JD looked fairly decent at full back We desperately need some locks to return and Hanson at hooker. That'd save 20 points alone that was given away.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Agree with that guys. he's a useful and competent footballer, but lacks the pace and x-factor required for this level. But he's also not the main concern right now...
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
Watching the game the Rebels certainly had plenty of changes and put the Blues under pressure. A better team than the Rebels would have caused serious headaches for the Blues. Judging by the press conference coaches mood I'd be more worried if I was Tony McGahan and less confident if I was Tana. Full credit to the Blues though. They put the Rebels to the sword in the second half so can't ask more from them in this game.
Dfenda
Guest
And please - please!- dont be like the many years before where we start good and finish bad! There has to be some mental strength in there somewhere! When Tana was AB's captain the AB's were firing, maybe this is the case too!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Yes he was well covered tonight TF.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Now from the Blues… coach Tana Umaga and captain Jimmy Tupou Umaga very thankful for the win. A result of plenty of hard work. Stayed in the fight when it was tough early, and came out the other side. Acknowledges a bit more spice and ruthlessness in the side this year. Again, a result of lots of hard work. Rieko Ioane is an impressive kid, well rounded, loves to play. Did some really good things today. It’s tough for me to fit all of our talented midfielders in. He’s obviously taken the first opportunity. Tupou… key moment was the intercept try, that really gave the team a lift at halftime. As for him personally, it was a surprise to be named captain, but a great honour, considering the talent around him. In summary, Umaga very happy, but definitely keeping a lid on it and they will continue to work hard week to week.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Press conference Firstly from the Rebels, a stern looking Tony McGahan. No skipper alongside. He’s actually a bit more upbeat than he looks. Was happy with the player’s intent, but NZ sides pounce and take opportunities. The try right on halftime really hurt. We competed well but turnovers and errors in the 2nd half killed us. Credit to the Blues for forcing those errors. Injuries are a concern, Placid has a dislocated kneecap, Stirzaker not too bad, blurred vision, but feeling ok now. Very happy that some of the young guys got some good experience under their belts. Maddocks in particular fought hard in his debut. Not clinical enough in scoring zone. No result from all their set piece opportunities. Very happy with playing on Thursday, away from other competing sport. In summary, despite the scoreline, it’s not all doom and gloom in the Rebel’s camp.
Dfenda
Guest
haha
ethan
Guest
JGB is the tugboat jnr! Actually looks like he has some pretty handy rugby instincts, but no speed, getting caught on the spot. Not sure about the Rebels tactics of using Hodge as a playmaker at first receiver - his strength is his hole running and does not have a good pass. Should be using Zebra in that role. I've said it before, I'm sure Hodge would be more suited to outside centre.
ethan
Guest
Subbed with 20-25 minutes to go. Hit hard, but didn't make any inroads while he was on.
ethan
Guest
Remember how the Hurricanes were spanked by 50 points in Rd1 last year? Rebels on the right track for the premiership!
ThugbyFan
Guest
Thanks for your efforts Geoff. Sorta flitting between cricket, rugby and preparing dinner so your blog was really good to see what I missed. From what I saw in the 2nd half, its going to be a long year for the Rebels. I didn't see Lopeti Timani at all, did he play or go off early or just did nothing in the match?
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Blues I think had 6 top liners out tonight ...
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Great performance from the Blues. Rebels looked a bit lost in attack, especially after Stirzaker went off. The Blues are looking really good though when you consider the amount of players that are still to come back for them. The NZ conference is going to be a cracker this year.
Daveski
Guest
Thanks Geoff. Disappointing from the Rebels. A bright start that evaporated about 25min in with some dropped bombs and some aimless kicking. Things got away from them thereafter and it wasn't helped by a frankly abysmal line out effort. I'm not sure JGB is an upgrade on Debreczini or even Volavola. Not many chances for Hodge, English impressed. Mafi started well at 8 but petered out pretty quickly. Jordy Reid as often was great and horrible. Pretty good debut from Maddocks though he's going to find the physicality a big step-up.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks for the blog GP ... now I'll go back and read it all again! ... lol
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Thanks everyone for your company! Match report to follow soon, plus the press conferences on this thread. And don't forget to check out 'The Wrap' on Monday morning.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks mate... but I think Canes first up will be more decisive even... *S*