In front of a smallish crowd at AAMI Park Melbourne, on a grey afternoon, Super Rugby high flyers the Lions, got the result most people expected – a seven tries to one win over the Rebels.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Rebels 10
Lions 47
It’s both ends of the spectrum this afternoon in Melbourne; the bloodied, battered and bruised Rebels limping home from South Africa to face a rested, assured Lions; the home team, with one win so far this year, versus the visitors with only one loss. Join The Roar for live scores and a live blog from 3pm AEST.
The Rebels’ injury woes have been well documented, captain Nic Stirzaker the latest to suffer an injury (to his ankle) which will see him miss 4-5 weeks. With squad halfback Mick Snowden suffering a serious foot injury against the Kings, Ben Meehan will start at 9, with rookie Harrison Goddard drafted out of Sydney club rugby to sit on the bench.
Fijian Test player Ben Volavola showed flashes of promise against the Kings and will again start at 10, although the Rebels have had little opportunity to build backline combinations this year,of the type to trouble a top of the table outfit such as the Lions.
With six changes to the run-on side, coach Tony McGahan will be looking for a significant increase in commitment over last week; something along the lines of their recent ‘backs against the wall’ effort which saw them score an upset win against the Brumbies in round 8.
By contrast the Lions are a far more settled side, although not without injury problems too; including centre Johan Janse van Rensburg, who this week was the victim of a terrifying home invasion and kidnapping, which he and his partner were extremely lucky to survive.
Coach Johan Ackermann told me this week that he is frustrated by his side’s inability to consistently reproduce last year’s stellar form, although he acknowledges that, with the element of surprise now gone, opposition defences have worked hard to counter their high pace, offloading and support game.
While the Lions work as hard on their set piece as any side – lock Franco Mostert a standout this year – Ackermann has no intention of adopting a more conservative style, confirming that playmaker Elton Jantjies retains free licence to try things as he sees fit. What pleases Ackermann more than anything, is his players expressing themselves on the field and trying out their skills.
With that in mind, fans at AAMI Park this afternoon can expect a free-flowing encounter, with both sides having pace to burn in the three-quarters.
Prediction
The Lions are heading for a repeat appearance in the final; potentially this time with home advantage. The Rebels are nowhere near finals consideration, and while they are capable of causing an upset, it is hard to see how they will be able to contain the Lions over 80 minutes.
Lions by 21.
Join The Roar from 3pm AEST for pre-match discussion, live scores and commentary, and debates.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Argrhh Rebel, shoot me now! . You are right. My pi$$poor excuse is too many afternoon beers warming up for the Tahs at SFS. Ben Volavola played for the Rebels (Southern Districts) for a few years. He was in the SS Grand Final against the Woodies just after the Tahs won the SR title. Jed Hollaway and Hugh Roach played in that match also. From a fading memory, BV was pretty good, ran the ball well and was a clever kicker in play. Got a contract with the Tahs but couldn't get regular games. A bit like Mike Alaalatoa, he moved from the Tahs to the Crusaders. Sadly that's where the resemblance ends. MA is now entrenched with the Crusaders whereas Ben Vovo is now a journeyman moving clubs every couple of years. On that note, the Tahs have somehow got to convince Mike that he should return to Sydney as it would be a blast to play in the WB with his brother Alan.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Stop making excuses , like the reds they are pathetic and should be dropped from the competition.
rebel
Guest
Sorry not an Eastwood boy. Another Southern Districts Rebel Rebel
rebel
Guest
If only Rebellion had any credibility to lose before that comment.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
When will the Rebels get the luxury of starting a game without a player ruled out in the warm up? 2 games in a row they've lost their captain in the warm up.
Delphy
Guest
I assume you jest! A recap for those with short memories. 29/4/17 - Force 15 v Lions 24. WF down by 2 in final minutes tried to win the game by running from their own try line.
Rebellion
Guest
Me neither - the is small but irritating swarm of Force supporters yelling the house down on this site lately. People have to remind themselves that if the Lions were playing the Farce they would have put on 70+ points
Bakkies
Guest
Harry Melbourne doesn't deserve a Super Rugby team. That's the reality.
Craigo
Guest
Cheers Geoff. Good call Mate
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Sorry Craigo, I didn't pick it up, not sure it was even announced. Wouldn't have been many though, 5-6k tops. Not sure Saturday afternoon works too well here, especially with a blockbuster game on at the MCG.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
» Click here to read the full match report Now from the Lions presser… coach Johann Ackermann and captain Warren Whiteley Ackermann… our goal was to keep up momentum and we achieved that. There were mistakes, handling errors, but overall I’m delighted with the guys effort and I never fault that. Whiteley… also proud of the way the team kept working. It wasn’t as easy as it looks, and it takes a lot to come here and put on that kind of effort. We also had a disruption with our starting prop hurting himself in the warm up, and so we had to deal with that late change. Ackermann… whatever people say about Australian rugby, the quality players are there and we can’t afford any complacency against Australian sides, on their day the Rebels can beat anybody. The ran the chiefs close and then beat the Brumbies. We don’t want to be the side who come here with the wrong attitude and get caught out and fall over, so that’s why I’m very happy with the effort and the result. I’m not so worried about not playing NZ teams before the finals. Of course it will be disappointing if we get there and we can’t match their intensity, but if we’re fortunate enough to make the play-offs I’m sure we’ll be able to switch on. What we have to do in the meantime in keep improving, as a team we’re not going as well as last year, but that’s also due to injuries and new combinations. Look at Kwagga Smith, he’s a guy with big match experience, Olympic Games and so on, but not necessarily in this environment. So with him, and some of the other newer guys, it’s a matter of working on their individual improvement, while blending them into the team structure. Looking forward to the Brumbies next week, it’s a short week but a new challenge and a great way to end the tour.
mattocks
Guest
I don't believe you're actually a rebels supporter.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Press conference Firstly from the Rebels, Tony McGahan and captain for today, Reece Hodge McGahan… We tried hard, competed hard, but just not good enough. They were far better at fundamental aspects. We had 3-4 chances near their line but couldn’t execute our lineouts. It’s a combination of a few things, training time with those combinations of players coming in and out. Last week we spoke about maintaining pressure and physicality, which we did to a large extent. But at this level you must execute at all times. Hodge… even at halftime we felt that we were in the game. We felt good when we had the ball on the front foot. The mood around the playing group is still up, despite all the distractions. We come to work happy and everyone does their best. We can’t afford to let injuries get in the way and we don't, we still have confidence in each other and will push on. McGahan… disappointed with some of the kicking in the first half. Not so much the option taking itself, but that some of the kicks weren’t well executed. Obviously delighted with Mafi’s game, and looking forward to getting a few of the other experienced players back to help him. Also very pleased with Marika Koroibete’s contribution, off the ball and defensively in particular. He’s getting better and better, although obviously we’d like to be giving him more opportunities with catch/pass in attack. Final word for young Esei Haangana who found himself on the park after only ten minutes and who competed really hard. He’s only 18 but really showed something and he’s going to be all the better for that experience.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Great blog Geoff and many thanks. The Lions forwards are a tough nut to crack and their backs are electric. When I switched on, the Rebs were 12 points behind and promptly gave away almost 30 points to zip. Either I put the mocka on them or they truly are a Rebel Rabble. While acknowledging their injury list I tend towards the latter . A porous defence at the edge of the rucks and backs clearly beaten for pace. A shocking kicking game just made it worse. Hopefully most of the wounded players will be back after the June break as this mob would be lucky to beat Southern Districts 2nds.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Oppps, my error. It was Ben Volavola who was fb and tried that pathetic tackle on Skosan, not Jack Dzebra who is another one on the Rebel's injury list. Apologies to JD and brickbats to BV.
ScottD
Roar Guru
yes the R/Champ this year will be interesting. SA have some great attacking weapons that are the match for AB's I reckon. Maybe the difference will be that the AB's attack weapons are also rock solid in defence
Highlander
Guest
Rebs copping some noise, but that was a pretty good all round Lions performance, an excellent side
Craigo
Guest
What was the crowd?
ScottD
Roar Guru
A hard comment to fault I thought :)
ScottD
Roar Guru
the Force announced they had exactly 23 players fit and available for this evenings game (and then announced Coleman was also available). Hard for both teams I reckon.