The Rebels will be out to turn around their spluttering form line when they travel halfway across the world to take on South Africa’s last-placed team, the Stormers in what is a desperation game. Join The Roar for live scores from 11:05pm (AEST).
Desperation shouldn’t even begin to describe tonight’s game for both sides, with the Rebels falling from grace at a rapid pace and the Stormers starting to fall a long way behind those in contention for the finals.
The Rebels were the breakout team at the start of the year, dominating the Australian conference as they shot to the top of the table, getting the better of their opponents with regularity and playing an exciting brand of rugby.
How the mighty have fallen though.
The Victorian club have lost three on the trot, and none of them pretty. They gave up 50 points to the Hurricanes, then were beaten at home by the Jaguares before going down to the Bulls in South Africa.
While the last of those games is understandable, giving up 50 points and losing to the Argentinian club certainly isn’t, with the Rebels squandering their good start to now sit behind the Waratahs in the Australian conference.
The Rebels form has been poor, but the Stormers haven’t hit their stride at all this season.
They sit last in the South African conference with just three wins from their nine games. While they aren’t out of finals contention yet, just five points behind the second-placed Bulls, victories need to start flowing if they hope to secure one of the wildcard spots into the finals.
That doesn’t look like happening for the Cape Town-based outfit though, with losses to the Bulls, Lions and Sharks leaving them in a bad rut of form heading into this game.
Prediction
This is going to be an interesting game. It’s hard to see the Rebels winning away from home, even if the Stormers have been in all sorts.
Stormers by 10.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of the match from 11:05pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Thanks Scott -- possibly I was early on the comment!!
Haydos
Guest
Like?
GusTee
Roar Pro
Victorian Rugby - ever heard of karma?
mothy
Guest
Super rugby is in dire straits! That crowd in Cape Town is going along with the trend of poorly attended matches. How can rugby top brass persuade broadcasters to part with good money when crowds are so low.
Haydos
Guest
As a Western Force supporter i can't help but feel a little satisfaction at seeing the Rebels drowning in losses.
Harry
Guest
ANother thoroughly depressing performance from an Australian team. Listless, incompetent, directionless and seemingly passionless. An abominable scrum in the first half meant the Rebels were never going to be competitive in the opening stanza. Second half at least saw a couple of tries. But a thoroughly mundane performance. Depressing to see players of the quality of Coleman, Koribete and Hodge making mistakes and playing without sharpness or intent. Other players again demonstrated that they just aren't up to it at this level or content to cruise along.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cliff - this went up as a live scores post because there was no one available to blog it. Harry just picked up some of the slack for us! Cheers Harry!
Adsa
Guest
Some tense times coming up Harry, best of luck
Harry Jones
Expert
Ed Stormers had to win that one. We host the Bulls (Round 12), Chiefs (R13), Lions (R15), and Sharks (R18). We visit the Sunwolves (R14) and the Jaguares (R17).
Bakkies
Guest
Job well done Stormers.
Ed
Guest
You must be pleased with the win Harry. The Oz media has not mentioned it, maybe your press has, but if the Lions win today against the Reds, they will have the longest winning streak of matches for a South African side against AUS teams in SR - eight games. They are currently tied with the Shorks, Bulls and your Stormers on seven straight wins against Australian opponents.
Carlos The Argie
Guest
Truly? Have to watch the game later.
Ken Catchpole’s Other Leg
Guest
Where was Raymond?
Ken Catchpole’s Other Leg
Guest
Agreed Harry, except for the U12”s knock on.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Interesting report - 76 comments and some 56 (plus) of them by Harry Jones. Seems Scott Pryde gave over the key board for the evening. But what is interesting is that apart from Harry, there was very little interest from anyone - South African or Australian. No comment on the state of Rugby in SA but Australian Rugby is finished and the slope to oblivion is getting very slippery. The Teams are CRAP and the ADMIN AND MANAGEMENT is far worse. For the Rebels with the available players, forget injuries, either the players have no idea or Wessells cannot Coach!!
Carlos The Argie
Guest
Harrius excitatur est.
Harry Jones
Expert
My young Stormers have four more matches at home, and games away to Jags and S-Wolves. Should be favoured to win 5 of the 6.
Harry Jones
Expert
DdeA trying to keep his Bok jersey, take the 12 away from Serfontein and keep it from Esterhuizen. Breaking Tackles: Akira, DdeA, Macca, and Kerevi doing it the most ... one of the guys in that list is a wee bit smaller than the others!
Harry Jones
Expert
Where was that in the 1H?????????? DdeA and Nizaam and Carr nice play
Harry Jones
Expert
Kind of flattered us