On a beautiful night for rugby in Melbourne, the Chiefs have maintained their place at the top of Super Rugby with a hard-fought win over a gallant, but ultimately outclassed Rebels, by 27-14.
The Rebels actually led going into the 20 minutes, and had the Chiefs at 14-14 with only six minutes left, but despite the supportive home crowd, an upset win was snatched away.
The first half in particular was punctuated by a lot of scrappy play, many turnovers and a high number of penalties; the interrupted flow of the game helping the home side more than the visitors.
The match also featured some horrible kicking for goal – both Damien McKenzie and Reece Hodge will be hitting the training track hard next week! Both kicked at just 43 per cent for the match.
Unlike their previous two games, the Rebels stayed in the game throughout, scrapping hard and competing well at the breakdown. As the second half went on they grew in confidence, but in the end they were let down by their scrum not holding up to a powerful Chiefs shunt, twice being pushed off their own ball.
The Chiefs will bank the win but go home wondering where their fluidity went. Their discipline didn’t help; too many penalties given away and two players lost to the bin as well. Coach Dave Rennie later described this as “not respecting the ball, as opposed to not respecting the opposition.”
Because of injury, Damien McKenzie didn’t stay long at flyhalf, but he was still a significant feature in the match. But it has to be said that, most of the Chiefs will not remember this as their best work.
That said, in the final minutes their confidence returned and they managed a couple of tries which not only helped blow the score out, but will also have them leaving Melbourne a little happier.
Clearly it was a much improved effort from the Rebels; more accurate in defence and, aside from some loose passing, offering much more in attack. Their try, to a flying Marika Koroibete, was a beauty and fans will be coming back for more of that.
No 8 Amanaki Mafi had a busy match, very combative and lock Culum Retallick should be very happy with how he stood up to his much vaunted brother Brodie. An improved game too at fly-half from Jackson Garden-Bachop, which should have home fans a little more upbeat about future prospects.
The Rebels and their fans will also be delighted that, at least for 80 minutes the focus was on actual rugby, and not speculation about the future of the franchise, or Will Genia or similar. It was a loss sure, but definitely an honourable one.
Referee Federico Anselmi was a big player in the match, seemingly not wanting to blow so many penalties, but finding plenty all the same. This will be a big work-on for the Chiefs before their next match.
In the end, an expected result, but not by the score most (including this writer) predicted. Contrary to some reports the Rebels are still very much alive and kicking and an enticing clash next week against the Waratahs lies in store.
Final score;
Chiefs 27
Rebels 14
Republican
Guest
.....they are again blooding unknown locals actually but sport is global and Rugby in this nation has always relied heavily on a PI and Kiwi diaspore for its stocks, as now does Rugby League.
Republican
Guest
.....the Brumbies have lost a significant number of their marquee list for 2017 but they are blooding some up and comers and remain competitive. The Brumbies have always managed to create something out of an assumed nothing and that is a strong reason for keeping them in tact and in Canberra. Moving them to Melbourne will not guarantee the same results or culture, in fact they will likely devolve insignificant to the world and Australian rugby if that were to transpire. You cannot appropriate something that has taken 21 years or more to build and that is integral to the community it represents. The historic DNA of the code in the nations capital, while a smaller demographic, is worth far more than any potential pie in the sky commercial boon (that Melbourne assume as a right by virtue of their insatiable commercial status), that is unlikely to ever be realised anyway. .
Old Bugger
Guest
Bakkies It is a game that is outside of the test window and therefore, NZRU or anyone else really, have every reason to negotiate a price payment. NZRU, just happen to start their opening gambit at 50:50 split. The RFU have very right to tell NZRU to "suck it" or "accept it". Now the RFU threatened to pull Twickers, out of the deal - well, if that ain't tossing the toys out of the cot - just cos it looks like, Baabaas v ABs will proceed and not, England v ABs. What a shameful act of spite by Mr Ritchie......no wonder the Baabaas executive accused him, of being deceitful.
riddler
Guest
i agree bakkies.. baabaas will be fine.. wembley be fine or why not old trafford.. i went to the english vs abs game there were way back and it was superb.. twickers is great but no problem in spreading the games around a bit..
Bakkies
Guest
The only reason why the RFU is not getting a game against the ABs is that the NZRU is asking for 50% of the gate. As it is an England home game is he is right in telling them to get lost. The Barbarians have a right to be upset about having their game pulled but they can take it to Wembley or Olympic Stadium (provided West Ham aren't at home)
Bakkies
Guest
Absolute bollocks from start to finish in that post Johnny
PiratesRugby
Guest
Okay, thanks. It looked worse at the ground. I haven't seen the game on tv.
PiratesRugby
Guest
I think Fereti came through Melbourne Grammar. I didn't know so many VRU boys had brought ken through to SR. It took the Storm 15 years to get a local player to start.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Most promising Aus performance of the weekend (so far) Geoff - lets see what the Reds game brings!
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
If Brumbies are the best (a big if) then it is thanks largely to players and coaches who are not from Canberra. I think the argument is that Melbourne and Perth have the greater potential for the future in terms of producing home-grown players and a larger following. After all these years, Brumbies still heavily rely on importing players from other Oz teams and last week there was only 8,000 spectators. One team should go and we have to look to the future.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
Return as in return to Australia obviously.
Old Bugger
Guest
Geoff Sorry to change tack on your post but, did anyone see the latest reports coming out of the RFU regarding the efforts to get an England/AB match?? Is it possible that the RFU CEO (Ian Ritchie), has just spat the dummy and contemplating to withdraw the AB v Barbarians match, away from Twickenham?? Well I hope he does so the Baabaas and NZRU, can see if the game can be transferred, elsewhere. Oh btw Ian, make sure you pick up your toys when the match, does get transferred. What a dummy spat cos he probably, won't get a game against the ABs.
Sam
Guest
The new prop was Fereti Sa'aga, the 4th VRU player to debut for the Rebels (3Rd if you don't count Naivalu). I think there are now 7 Vics in SR now, if you count the Rebels 6 and Rob Valetini who signed with the Brumbies. The Rebels have had a bad start this year. The only way from here is up!
Tigranes
Guest
Johnny pocock was never with the rebels
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Don't think so Pirates. The threshold for red is landing on the head or neck. Naivalu landed on his back, in that case the yellow was correct and I doubt it will go any further.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Hold on, if the Brumbies are the best Australian team, and the argument for getting rid of Australian team is that the Australian teams aren't good enough then why would we get rid of the best Australian team?
RobC
Roar Guru
Teams who wants to defeat NZ franchises should watch how EMs Reds did it especially against the Chiefs. Rebs did the same whilst the pack had energy. Right through the middle. But you need the backs to finish opportunities.
Paul
Guest
I find comments like this odd. The ref can't ignore infringements. Else he'd be accused of letting teams get away with too much or being asleep at the wheel. If the players keep their noses clean at the breakdown, don't drop the pill and tackle legally the game will flow..
Machooka
Roar Guru
HA! Want to know what the meaning of crazy really is... have a look at Alex's article today on his 'inflection point' re SR. I'm not saying he's crazy (no way)... but this whole debate about SR's future borders on that description. Hey, as an aside, I like crazy... always have, and wish to continue so :) Sorry MrRobC... it's sooo wet in Sydney at the mo. Little hope of any good rugby.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I am pretty sure he plays for Japan