The Rebels will look to continue their strong run at the top of the Australian conference when they take on the Jaguares in Melbourne. Join The Roar for live scores of the match from 3:15pm (AEST).
The Melbourne-based Rebels have made a superb start to the 2018 Super Rugby season, and while questions remain about whether they will be able to hang with the top New Zealand and South African teams come finals time, they are sitting top of the Australian conference for now.
Their form, to be fair, has dropped off a little in the last few weeks, with the gap at the top of the table closing to just a single bonus point with the Waratahs moving in behind.
The Rebels might have four from six on the board and be fresh off a bye, but their last outing saw them thumped at home by the Hurricanes, with the New Zealand side running a half-century of points up.
The defence on display from the Rebels was at times pitiful against the ‘Canes, but doesn’t show where they have been at for the rest of the season, nor does it reflect their high standing.
A week off might have been exactly what the Melbourne outfit needed, but this game against a struggling Jaguares will be a good chance to build some form.
They sit last in the South African conference with just two wins from their seven games played and with no bonus points to their name (the only team in the entire competition without one), it hasn’t been a plasent start ot the year.
They have, at times, been competitive in their losses, but their defence has major issues, as evidenced in their last start loss to the Crusaders.
Letting in 40 points was far from ideal, but doing it at home is almost unforgivable. Now having to travel away from home on a short turnaround, this could be a tough afternoon for the Jaguares.
Prediction
The Rebels have been very solid so far this season and it’s extremely difficult to see them losing at home to the Argentinian outfit.
Rebels by 21.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this Super Rugby match from 3:15pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Rugby101
Guest
How does Thought Without A Substantiation defend a 5500 crowd? Oh wait, I can see it now.." well its a typically low crowd for a fixture in the second week of April in the first year of a new Coach", or more likely, "it's not true, it's fake news! Hillary made it up!
On the Ball
Guest
A crowd of just 5538!!! They need to move The Rebels to Perth!!!
Melburnian
Roar Pro
Rebels / SR have got to stop scheduling games mid-afternoon, it's proven not to work. Yesterday was the first day of the Victorian community rugby season so I would expect many players were out with their clubs and would only have attend the game if it was played in the evening. That said, the extreme weather event that hit Melbourne yesterday probably had an effect on attendance too. Richmond only drew 30,000 to their AFL game at the MCG - who'd want to sit in a stand with the rain coming in sideways, hail showers and a three degree windchill. Switch games back to 19:45 kick off on Friday and get better attendance. Even last year when the Rebels were truly rubbish, they drew 8,000+ on a Friday night. Rebels need a better fly half. Debreczini missed from right in front yesterday, which if he'd kicked would have meant they could have stolen the win in the 80th minute by just kicking the goal. I don't think Quade is the answer BTW.
Stu B
Guest
We all expect far to much from this team, sold for 1 dollar ( twice ). Banker Cline recognises value when he sees it.
Val
Guest
For all his faults both the Rebels and the Brumbies need a No10 who can spark life into an attack and add some unpredictability. Their current No10's are simply not up to Super Rugby standard! Yes Quade Cooper may be a risk but if they continue to play with the current No10's there will be a slow (or even a fast) slide down the table and out of contention. It must be a thought for the two coaches!!!
mothy
Guest
What a joke of a crowd!
Nobrain
Roar Guru
At least the ref had the same colors of shirt of team he played for.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
See if this one point costs them later.
Malo
Guest
The magical NZ side acclaimed by Brett McKay gets dusted at home. The March champions.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Doesnt it always go back to the last penalised player with new adv?
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
Oh boy. It's a long season lads. Take the draw. Sure 1 BP for the loss within 7 and only 2 for a draw but still. Tahs are only 2 points behind on the log!
ThugbyFab
Guest
As the Irish would say, "Whale Oil Beef Hooked". The Rebels played tough solid rugby in the 1st half but in the 2nd half they played like they only met each other this morning. Genia and Hardwick went off and the Rebels were like sheep without a shepherd. The Jaguares went all out and won the match and should be applauded for taking out a hard match after all their travel woes. The Rebels midfield looks toothless for mine, even with a glut of possession from their piggies there was no spark in attack to worry the Los Jaguares backline. Perhaps the coach should consider trialling J.Maddocks as reserve #10 as Jack Debreczeni without W.Genia lining him up looked lost and slow. I was OK with going for the win on that 80th min penalty except they should have taken a lineout (NO maul) as scrum and Argentina rugby are synonyms.
Metalisticpain
Guest
I personally like the go for the win, its only one point. But def a Lineout maul.... Looks like probably an ordinary year again for Aus. Though not according to RA, I mean last year everyone agreed it was one of the worst in history and RA still graded themselves 75/100... Thats a solid pass for the year. What a joke. It is said we have clearly seen the benefits of culling a team, however it looks to me like a artificially organised draw to ensure things look ok at the beginning. If the Rebs can't beat the jags at home, I doubt Bulls and Stormers will be W's. Heading into the business end of the season now...
Train without a station
Guest
Was saw also that Ruru isn’t quite as good as he was made out to be last year. Huge drop from Genia.
Train without a station
Guest
So why wasn’t the first offender the one to receive the card then?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Correct Paul.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
A Good win for the Jags, but boy oh boy, to me it seems they can do so much better. But a least it feels like they have turned a corner and if they hit some serious form the SA conference is gonna be silly even. What to say about the Rebels? Not much cohesion or structures today, and that probably was the biggest reason they got penalized so much.
Dave
Guest
Wanna mop for that egg on ya face?
Bluetooth
Guest
Big victory guess not. called it way too early mate
Train without a station
Guest
Nah good call. They lost only 1 competition point going for the win. BP loss gets them 1. Draw only 2.