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Jordie Barrett again. Last year it was Bledisloe heartbreak for the Wallabies, this time it was Super Rugby disappointment as Barrett scored out wide to seal another dramatic victory in Melbourne.
It was only a few years ago he was ridiculously booted out of the Melbourne Cricket Ground for skolling a beer as he watched the Black Caps play Australia. After his superb display across the road at AAMI Park, he should join them for another beer.
The outstanding back’s try in the 78th minute sealed the Hurricanes’ 39-33 victory over the fast-finishing Rebels, who were gallant and brave but ultimately didn’t have the class to snatch a famous victory over their trans-Tasman rivals.
“Melbourne’s been a good place for me and long may it continue,” he said.
After blowing countless first half chances, including on the stroke of half-time to go into the sheds trailing 24-7, the Rebels came to life in the second half.
Perhaps it was the slit throat gesture from Ardie Savea after the Hurricanes captain was shown a yellow card, but after the “unsportsmanlike” gesture whipped the crowd into a frenzy the Rebels looked a different side in the second half.
Jordie Barrett once again won his side another match in Melbourne. Photo: by Kelly Defina/Getty Images
But on the back of a much-improved display from the bench, where the Rebels generated quick ball off the thunderous Pone Fa’amausili and Richard Hardwick came into his own, the home side closed the margin to 33-34 with less than five minutes to play.
Then that man was once again on the spot as some great counter-attacking rugby saw Barrett score out wide. He missed the conversion to keep the game alive, but after a clumsy error undid Hardwick’s excellence at the breakdown the Hurricanes survived to leave Australia with another victory under their belts.
“If I did my job and kicked that conversion I would have been able to breathe a bit more easily in that last 30 seconds, but a good defensive set got us home,” Barrett said.
Hardwick was the Rebels’ best while centre Stacey Ili straightened the attack well. Fullback Joe Pincus looked comfortable on debut, too.
The Rebels were proud but disappointed, having lost their second straight match by a converted try or less after blowing a big lead against the Western Force in the opening round of the competition.
“I’m so proud of this group and I felt that was huge for us,” Rebels coach Kevin Foote said.
“It’s something we’ve been speaking about for a long time as a club and I couldn’t be prouder at the moment.”
Brad Wilkin added: “It still hurts that we lost because we’re not here to lose games. But to echo’s Kevin’s sentiments, we showed a lot of fight which is probably the biggest thing that I’m proud of as captain. If we can show that fight week-in, week-out we’ll be going in the right direction.”
Richard Hardwick scored two late tries for the Rebels but it wasn’t enough. Photo: by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
After Wilkin opened the scoring in the third minute with some strong play in tight, the Rebels missed the chance to extend their early lead when they turned it over on the Hurricanes’ line.
The error proved costly as the Hurricanes responded by scoring 24 unanswered points.
Unable to slow the Hurricanes’ quick ball and being well-beaten at the scrum, the visitors scored twice through captain Ardie Savea in the first half-hour before Joshua Moorby scored their third off the back of some great work at the back of the scrum.
The match exploded on the stroke of half-time when an all-in brawl erupted after Dane Coles’ hands found their way around Josh Canham’s neck.
Rebels playmaker was slung to the ground by Savea, which ultimately saw him yellow carded.
But it was then that the pressure cooker rose as Savea, having been shown a yellow card, delivered Rebels halfback a slit throat gesture as he made his way off the field.
Savea didn’t receive any further punish, but his “brain explosion” saw the widely respected player come under heat from the Rebels, former players and a fired up Melbourne crowd.
“I was just meaning, when I come on, I’m going to try smash you,” he said.
“But I understand that can be taken in the wrong way and I apologised to the player I did it to as well after the game.
“It’s just the heat of the moment. It’s a warrior game, but I’ve got to lead by example being the skip. I got that wrong, but it’s something I can keep learning and growing from.”
Foote, meanwhile, said he didn’t want to see his team treated with disdain like they were on their home turf.
“I didn’t see that [the incident], but just when Coles grabbed Canham’s headgear it all started,” Foote said.
“I made it very clear to our guys that they don’t come to our house and we’re not going to tolerate that.”
The Hurricanes lost another player soon after as replacement prop Tevita Mafileo had his yellow card upgraded to a red for an illegal cleanout, which saw Hardwick’s head stuck with a tucked arm.
The Rebels pounced, as Lachie Anderson touched down brilliantly from a Gordon kick before the playmaker went coast to coast after picking up a loose ball to score.
A penalty to Barrett steamed the bleeding before flyer Salesi Rayasi scored.
Two quick tries to Hardwick gave the Rebels hope of pulling off an upset but Barrett’s well-taken try sealed the deal for the Hurricanes.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.