The Reds are still alive in Super Rugby after a late try to standout centre Samu Kerevi snuffed out a second half comeback by the home side, securing a 29-24 win.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Rebels 24
Reds 29
It’s crunch time for the Australian conference this evening in Melbourne, with the Rebels and Reds both desperately needing a win to stay within touching distance of the conference-leading Brumbies. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEST) for all the action.
While many would say the Rebels are already shot ducks this season, and the Reds aren’t far behind them, the inability of all Australian sides to match it with New Zealand and South African opposition means that despite only winning one game and two games respectively, the local conference is still wide open.
That said, whoever loses tonight can almost certainly start planning for next year; in whatever format the competition will be.
Looking at the team sheets, the Reds have been buoyed with the news that Karmichael Hunt, close to their best this year, has been ruled fit to play. They also welcome back Nick Frisby to partner Quade Cooper in the halves; Cooper this week denying that he wasn’t fully fit, despite there being suspicions to the contrary.
Up front, a pack that promises much on paper has yet to deliver as a unit, despite some heroic performances from George Smith and Scott Higginbotham (who returns to play against the side he once captained), and good signs from Lukhan Tui.
The Rebels are delighted to welcome back their talisman Sean McMahon, who will make his long awaited first appearance this year off the bench, joining standout No.8 Amanaki Mafi in the loose. On the debit side, flanker Colby Fainga’a remains doubtful with a nagging quadriceps injury, but will be given until close to match time to prove his fitness.
Winger Marika Koroibete enjoyed his best match since switching to rugby, last week against the Lions, and the Rebels backline will be trying to provide him with more running opportunity, as they will Sefa Naivalu, who has not had much play run his way in recent weeks.
This is a very tricky game to assess. The Reds have a terrible recent record away from home, now having gone over 12 months since their last win. Last week they started well against the Chiefs, but their second half was poor, including set piece capitulation that gifted away easy points.
They will however fancy themselves against a Rebels side that has struggled for cohesion with key personnel out, and again tonight has question marks about the halves combination at this level.
The Rebels however, have proven more than competitive against Australian sides, downing the Brumbies and only falling to the Waratahs in the final minute. They have enjoyed a week at home to prepare, and should be highly motivated for what should be an entertaining and willing fixture.
Prediction
It’s tempting to take the easy route and opt for a draw, but the Reds’ away form is too bad to ignore. Rebels to win a close one, by 3 points.
riddler
Guest
but fionn that is not even close to his success rate.. the comment was 50% okay and 50% bad.. yesterday i did a twas for cooper during the reds game i marked stats.. it was pleasant reading.. i pointed out his positives during the live blog.. (i will set them out if you want something to put u to sleep ;) ) the rest wasn't good and stuff that yourself and others jump on foley quicker than an offer of a free beer.. that is why i find it so strange that people said he played an excellent/very good/good game yesterday.. we watched the final of sarries and clermont in the pub yesterday arvo.. both farrell and lopez showed a good, not great and definitely not excellent, game for a ten.. even including farrell's receiving of a massive fend off.. but the difference between their game management, attack, defence, strategic kicking etc was startling to the game i watched in the morning..
Train Without A Station
Guest
Yeah certainly doesn't. But at the same time, maybe he just wasn't completely forthcoming to some guy at the pub who bailed him up to chew his ear off and spill their bundy on him.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
That doesn't bode well. Hopefully his form over the last couple of weeks forces the coaches (or, really, one coach in particular) to reconsider. If Cheika can convince him to play tighter where appropriate but still give him a license to play loose when the game demands it then we could be in with a really damaging and powerful forward pack, and back-row in particular.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Fionn I actually spoke to Higgers at a pub after the game and quizzed him on any feedback from Wallaby coaches. His response indicated there isn't much dialogue which is a disappointment. Probably close to the form Aus back rower so far this season.
Fionn
Guest
50% is a pretty decent hit rate. If he scored points 50% of the time he went for a play he'd be one of the best flyhalfs in the world.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yeah and those games he missed through suspension - didn't the Reds just shine without him?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Yes Geoff Late try sealed it for Deni, lots of energy both sides. Deni loaned a few players to assist to fill CSU team, was their 3rd grade team, with 1sts/2nds playing at Albury All played in great spirit.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Did the Denny Drovers get up KP?
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Geoff Thanks for great wrap, including interviews I could not see. Really enjoyed the game - even better than Deniliquin Drovers v Wagga CSU live at ground earlier today! Cheers KP
Geoff Parkes
Expert
No idea OB. I know there's been some behind the scenes action, but it's hard to say. His family has lived here for years so I'm not sure how much that comes in to it. He's a great prospect, but is still young of course for a front rower.
Cynical Play
Guest
Youre kidding ??!!? mate you don't expect much do you
Cynical Play
Guest
Half of what he does works, half of what he does lets the team down... I like him, but he is a gamble every play, and the odds are 50/50..QC = 50.50 Stick with him. Don't listen to me. But measure him against Barrett, etc and you'll see he is a chance player only. Not a solid 10 at all. Plays full-back half the game. Not Barrett, he gets stuck into the rucks....he's a complete 10. Stick with QC, Andy-boy. Him and Stiles will have you around the middle of the conference for years to come.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
» Click here to read the full match report Thanks everyone for your company tonight. While it was scrappy at times, this was an entertaining match, with 7 tries and a few near misses, which was still in the balance right at the end. The Reds deservedly won 29-24, watch out for the full match summary, and don't forget to check out 'The Wrap' on Monday morning.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Now from the Rebels, Tony McGahan and captain for today, Reece Hodge McGahan… Bitterly disappointed. We stayed in it, fought hard again, but at times we were the architect of our own demise. We had 5-6 entries into their 22 in the first half but once again didn’t execute, and left ourselves with too big a job in the 2nd half. We’ve still got a few more guys to come back in but it’s getting a bit late in the season now. 2nd half improvement came when we backed ourselves a bit more. But still too many skill errors at crucial times. Hodge… last five minutes, maybe we could have done things a bit differently but credit to them. Really, we probably cost ourselves more in the first half and shouldn’t have let it come down to the last few minutes. McGahan… great to have Sean back, he put in a great shift. Kicking in general play was horrible at times, and it really hurt us. It’s my job to give players like Koroibete the confidence to back himself on the run. Marika’s really come on, he just needs to continue to back himself at every opportunity. Colby Fainga’a was close to playing. Miller and Sinclair have been great. Really impressive young guys, they work really hard, you can see Simon Cron’s coaching influence. We’ve been lucky to have them, really impressive young men and great contributors to our program. Will your results affect Wallabies representation? Yes, I’m sure the selectors will look outside our results but it makes it hard for our guys if we’re not producing as a team. The rest of the year? We’ll re-set again, the group are enthusiastic and will continue to work hard and we’ll finish the year off well. Of course it’s hard because of all the off field stuff, you can’t help the whispers from guys about their futures and so on, but we’ll keep trying to push that to the side and focusing on improving our rugby.
Daveski
Guest
Meehan I'm a fan of although I don't think he's been that great this season. Wouldn't mind to see him playing 10 in the NRC as he might have potential for the Wallabies as bench player at the World Cup who could cover 9 and 10, allowing a 6/2 split in certain occasions.
Daveski
Guest
He does have a skill set no one else in that position comes close too. Hanigan has the tools but it's too early. Ditto Hardwick and Naisrani ( is he even eligible ). Holloway hasn't kicked on this year and I think Mafi has proved that if we keep playing Lopeti Timani at 8, then Japan will have a much better no.8 at the World Cup then we do.
andrew
Guest
a typical c##ty comment from you , he was in support of Higgers and well positioned for that support , but you can never let a chance go by can you
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Press conference First the Reds, Nick Stiles and Samu Kerevi Stiles… I’m really pleased that we did hold on and win. First win away from home since 2015. Plus we haven’t beaten an Australian side for a long time. Of course we could have been better, but the boys kept their composure and it was a great finish by the captain. There were a lot of times where the Rebels were on our line but the boys stayed composed and worked for each other. Much improved effort from the Chiefs’ game. Re George Smith, he apologized to me at halftime for giving away penalties, then gave away one straight away in the 2nd. But he still had an impact on the game. Re Kerevi, growing as a leader of men. We handled the period when Hunt was off really well. A good sign again of our composure and effort. Impact of the bench? Perese came on early and handled it really well. He has worked hard after being dropped to the bench, a good lesson for him. Kerevi… when I scored I didn’t even realize the time left. I just backed myself and did it. As captain I give great credit to the playing group. No need for words from me, I’m just happy to lead with actions. Stiles… bye is coming at a good time. Chance to refresh again. We’re only a few points behind the Brumbies and still get to play them. Re-starts a massive issue. We actually spent a lot of time on it this week, but didn’t execute tonight. No real injuries outside Magnay’s concussion.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
Yep