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It may have taken more than 1000 days but it was worth the wait for the Melbourne Rebels as they stopped the Blues 20-10 in Auckland to keep their Super Rugby finals hopes on track.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Blues 10
Rebels 20
Both the Blues and Rebels are looking to tack up a few wins when they go head to head at Eden Park. Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 3:15pm (AEST).
The Auckland side find themselves in the dismal position of 14th, 13 points behind their opponents, but are still heavy favourites.
The Melburnians narrowly hold onto eighth place – only two competition points above the Sharks – but a win would put them above the Jaguares, on 34.
The Blues have been hopelessly outclassed in their New Zealand derbies, but are three from six in international fixtures, their wins coming against the Lions, Waratahs and Sunwolves.
The Rebels are one from six in inter-conference games, beating the Sharks at home, but will take a huge boost leading in as both Rieko Ioane and potentially Sonny Bill Williams have been rested and ruled out, respectively.
In saying that, the Aucklanders still field a strong side, with Michael Collins returning, Matt Moulds replacing James Parsons, and Terence Hepetema in for SBW.
Jermaine Ainsley slides in for Sam Talakai at tighthead, but otherwise no changes for the Rebels starting XV that crushed the Sunwolves last Friday.
The Blues could drop within range of the Sunwolves with a loss, if the Japanese win their third from four in Canberra tomorrow, so they will be out to consolidate their spot for over the International weekends.
Prediction
Expect the Aucklanders to win, but not by much given their key outs and the Rebels’ strong 15.
Blues by 5.
Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 3:15pm (AEST).
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