An ill-disciplined Melbourne Rebels have given up a 28-point lead to lose to the Lions after the siren in their Super Rugby match in Johannesburg.
Melbourne have blown a golden chance to land their first Super Rugby win in South Africa, giving up a massive lead to lose to the Lions 36-33 in Johannesburg.
Lions reserve Gianni Lombard kicked the winning points after the final siren following a scrum penalty, taking advantage of the Rebels being down a forward with Angus Cottrell sidelined with a yellow card.
It was the Rebels second yellow card of the match with a horror penalty count – 20-2 – proving disastrous.
The Rebels were up 33-5 early in the second half but a yellow card to Billy Meakes after repeated team infringements allowed the home side back into the match.
While the centre was off the field the Lions scored three tries with their lead narrowed to 33-26.
The Lions then added another try in the 64th minute with Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx forcing a turnover and speedster Courtnall Skosan reaping the rewards.
The conversion by Test five-eighth Elton Jantjes locked up the match.
Rebels reserve backrower Cottrell’s yellow card came in the 76th minute, piling the pressure on his team in the dying stages and the home side smelt blood.
The first half could hardly have gone better for the Rebels as they dominated everywhere including the scoreboard.
They scored four first-half tries with Quade Cooper touching down in the 12th minute after a superb team effort that went almost the length of the field.
It looked like the second half would continue in the same vein when Tom English scored two minutes in, atoning for costly error as he tried to score in the first half.
But then the wheels fell off the Rebels and the Lions, who lost some key personnel to Europe after last year’s grand final defeat, got back in the game.
Cooper contributed to the disappointment after the Rebels No.10 failed to ground a kick into the in-goal with Lionel Mapoe racing through to dive on the ball and score.
The Rebels also had two yellow cards against the Brumbies last round but escaped with a tight win then.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
"Factory" Seconds Looks like a Ref, but not good enough to sell full price.
Harold
Guest
I agree that the rebels could give up 20 Penalties but the Lions 1 penalty in 78 minutes - u cant be serious...I think the Aussie bloke allowed a lot of Welsh backline offside at the breakdown - the 5/8 receiving 2 prop forwards at once with the ball must give you a hint???/ The ref should be shown the door
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Obviously blowing a big lead like that, needs looking at. Like, 26 - 5 at half time, & soon after the break it became 33 - 5. Bad discipline would be more to the point, as players, some being some high profile players back chatting the ref. Why DHP, didn't tell them to pull their heads in, makes you wonder, as he was the captain. You play to the ref, as these blokes should know. OK, SANZAAR are not using neutral refs now, due to cutting costs, perhaps they will be available come the quarters or semi's. Disappointing for the team, & Wessell's will now have the job of installing some discipline.
Damo
Guest
What’s did SANZAR officials say to South Africa Ref Egon Seconds in the break? Must have been pretty threatening to make him turn on the Rebel’s like that!
Charlie Turner
Guest
Pooh, a player cannot deliberately knock the ball dead in goal. You're thinking RL. The sanction is a penalty and yellow card. The correct action is to ground the ball in goal.
Winnie the Pooh (Emperor of China)
Guest
Saw the try where Quade could have quite easily tapped the ball over the end line, but just didn't have the desperation. Mind you the penalties award to Jozzi Lions was disgustingly BIASED. The quicker we do not have to play South African teams the better.
AF
Guest
If you want to call yourself a journalist you have to call out bias. This is like a report on SA politics. Nothing to see here. What a farce. Things won’t change if you just nod at a 20-2 penalty count. Then again I suppose this is the least of all worries in a state quickly becoming the new Zimbabwe. Hang your head in shame South Africa. As for SANZAR, this is why fans tune out. Bookies should suspend betting on all future SA matches. The fix is in.