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Richard Hardwick said throughout the week the Rebels would look to continue to get under the skins of their fancied opponents, the Waratahs. Having won two of their past three in Melbourne against the Waratahs, the Rebels recalled those two boilovers.
The Waratahs laughed it off, instead saying they were solely focused on their own game.
On Friday night, however, it was the Rebels who had the final laugh as Kevin Foote’s men recorded a brilliant 34-27 victory. Chalk that up as their fifth win from seven matches against the Waratahs.
In-form back-rower Richard Hardwick was once again the Rebels’ best during their stunning win over the Waratahs. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
The Waratahs bombed two tries inside the opening 20 minutes and when the Rebels scored two tries of their own off the boot, the match had all the hallmarks of an upset brewing in the south.
That point was rammed home when Ben Donaldson, who wore the No.10 jersey for the Wallabies when they came over the top of Wales in Cardiff to win their last Test of the year, failed to find touch from a penalty with 10 minutes to go. If it wasn’t gone already, it was after that.
Despite trailing 17-6 at half-time, it was the Waratahs who exploded out of the blocks in the second half.
Mark Nawaqanitawase scored after some quick hands from the forwards and when replacement back-rower Charlie Gamble crossed over in tight it looked like the Waratahs were going to repeat the effort of a week earlier by finishing with a wet sail.
But some poor kicking let the Rebels back into the match and the home team took full advantage of the lapse of concentration.
Test prop Matt Gibbon scored under the sticks after fooling Izaia Perese with a huge dummy to hit back in the 60th minute.
Soon after, with the Waratahs on their heels, Carter Gordon followed suit by scoring a simple try. It was a case of players in motion and a growing No.10 running to the line with two hands against a tiring, sliding defence.
Reece Hodge’s penalty extended the home side’s lead out to 14 points to ensure they wouldn’t be beaten in regular time.
They weren’t either, with Taleni Sui late try giving the Waratahs a losing bonus point for their troubles.
The win was a giant scalp for the Rebels.
Reece Hodge dives over to score the opening try against the Waratahs at AAMI Park on March 10, 2023 in Melbourne. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Written off pre-season following the season-ending injuries to new captain Rob Leota and his Test teammate Matt Philip, the Rebels are also without one of their best backs, Andrew Kellaway.
But with Hardwick stepping up brilliantly and offering a regular on-ball threat, Ryan Louwrens back in Melbourne, Gordon growing with every season and Lachie Anderson finding his feet in Super Rugby, the Rebels pushed the Hurricanes last week and have now toppled the Wallaby-laden Waratahs.
“It’s extremely important. We’ve been close a few times now without a win, so to get that first win on the board I just think it’ll give us a little bit more confidence and belief that we can really shake up this competition a little bit,” captain Brad Wilkin said.
“They’re a great side the Waratahs. But I’m just really happy that we can get the win for the organisation.”
Waratahs captain Jake Gordon slammed his side’s performances.
“It’s really disappointing,” he said.
“We’re just loose at the moment. Loose around the carry, loose around the breakdown; we invited their back-row onto the ball all game and they did a really good job at that.
“Really happy with our first 20; pretty disappointed that we didn’t come away with two tries there and we struggled to come back from that.”
Carter Gordon’s stocks continue to rise after leading the Rebels to their first win of the year. Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
The loss was a colossal blow to the Waratahs’ hopes of finishing in the top four of this year’s standings.
With four of New Zealand’s sides firing and the Brumbies unbeaten from their opening two matches, winning in Melbourne was crucial to their hopes of hosting a final, particularly given they’ll head to Wellington next week to take on the Hurricanes, who will welcome back Ardie Savea from suspension.
Adding to the frustration was that this was a game for the taking, particularly after what should have been a flying start.
Nemani Nadolo, who was brought in for teenage sensation Max Jorgensen, found the white chalk in the process of touching down in the opening minutes.
Soon after Langi Gleeson, the No.8 who has caught Eddie Jones’ eye, then burst through the Rebels’ defensive line and was just clipped with the line in sight before illegally propelling himself forward to give away a penalty.
While the Waratahs eventually got on the board first through Tane Edmed’s accurate boot, a possible 14-0 lead was blown as the Rebels got the jump and led 12-3.
Hodge’s try from a well-waited chip kick from Anderson gave the Rebels the lead after 22 minutes.
Hodge then returned the favour, putting through a nice grubbed for Anderson to spectacularly touch down as Nadolo’s lack of speed and turning circle was brutally exposed for the second straight try.
With the momentum in the Rebels’ favour, Edmed banged over his second penalty.
But the ambush was well and truly on when Hardwick, who won’t be on any Jones Wallabies list after playing for Namibia last year, continued his try-scoring form by carrying over two defenders to score out wide.
After failing to take a chance on the stroke of half-time, Nawaqanitawase showed his teammates how it was done.
And while Gamble and Edmed gave the Waratahs the lead, the Rebels had all the run as Michael Hooper for once looked out on his feet.
Well-taken tries to Gibbon and Gordon made it a night to remember for the Rebels, who will take some confidence into next week’s tough assignment in Hamilton against the flying Chiefs.
“It’s right up there for us,” Foote said, having been asked where it rated for victories by the Rebels.
“It’s been a hard few years and we spoke about that in the changeroom. When we turned the corner last week [against the Hurricanes] we wanted to keep building on the momentum and I thought the boys did that.”
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.