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Highlanders vs Rebels: Super Rugby live scores, blog

14th July, 2018
Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
When: 3:15pm AEST
TV: Fox Sports 501
Betting: Highlanders $1.21, Rebels $4.45

Highlanders
15 Josh Ioane, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Liam Squire, 7 James Lentjes (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Jackson Hemopo, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Aki Seuili

Replacements: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Tom Franklin, 20 Dillon Hunt, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Matt Faddes, 23 Josh McKay

Rebels
15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English (c), 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Reece Hodge, 9 Michael Ruru, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Ross Haylett-Petty, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Fereti Sa’aga

Replacements: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Lopeti Timani
The Rebels have a tough assignment this round. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Expert
14th July, 2018
205
5061 Reads

Match result:

The Rebels will have to wait and hope on other results if they’re to make this Super Rugby season’s finals after falling short against the Highlanders.

Final score
Highlanders 43
Rebels 37

Match preview:

The Rebels will be hoping to make their first ever Super Rugby finals campaign a certainty when they take on the Highlanders.

Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game in the final round of the 2018 Super Rugby season at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon, starting from 3:15pm AEST.

The equation for the Rebels is fairly simple: win this game and they are certain to feature in the Super Rugby finals for the first time in the history of the club.

Lose and, well, that’s where things get a bit more murky.

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In that scenario, they would then need to cross their fingers and hope that the Jaguares are able to best the Sharks – because if not, they could get pushed out of the top eight.

Of course, even if the Rebels do win, there are big questions left over where they finish in the top eight.

A big-margin win or a bonus-point win would give them the chance to go into seventh, and if they do that they may well find themselves up against the Waratahs in finals.

That would be almost a dream matchup as it would guarantee at least one Australian side makes it through to the semi-finals.

Plus, it would give both teams an opportunity to play their finals match in Australia, giving them both a chance to play a strong brand.

As for the Highlanders, this match doesn’t mean a great deal to them – it may affect their ladder position, but either way they’re likely travelling in the first week of finals.

Depending on results, a loss may even stop them from travelling to South Africa, but their form is pretty solid after winning two of their last three.

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Prediction
The Rebels will be desperate to keep their fate in their own hands here, but it’s hard to see them getting the job done away from home.

Highlanders by 11.

Join The Roar for live scores from the match and a live blog of the game between the Melbourne Rebels and the Highlanders in the final round of the 2018 Super Rugby season at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon, starting from 3:15pm AEST.

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