The Rebels raced to an early eight-point lead to shock the Chiefs early. Unfortunately for Kevin Foote’s side, they conceded the next 27 points and another two quick tries to start the second half to shoot themselves in the foot.
In the end, the Chiefs recorded a 44-25 victory, which clearly showcased the difference in the two sides.
The Rebels were burnt on the fringes. The Chiefs’ back three – fullback Shaun Stevenson and wingers Etene Nanai-Seturo and Emoni Narawa – ran amok as the Rebels’ spacing was exposed.
Stevenson scored a brace of tries while Nanai-Seturo and Narawa got on the scoresheet too, as the visitors conceded six tries.
“If you look at the 20-minute second quarter is where we let ourselves down – and that’s probably been a theme throughout our season so far,” captain Brad Wilkin said.
“So just finding the small one percenters in those zones to work on and move forward (is where we need to improve).”
Brad Wilkin was one of the Rebels’ best in their heavy loss to the Chiefs. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Despite the heavy loss, there were positives for the Rebels.
Carter Gordon was outstanding in the No.10 jersey, as he continues to build each week.
The rising fly-half is the most improved player in Australian rugby and, if he continues his upwards trajectory, Eddie Jones will be rubbing his hands together over the next five years.
The 22-year-old ran to the line, made breaks, put players through holes and set-up a couple of tries. Defensively, too, he made a number of strong reads.
He wasn’t alone either. Wilkin was colossal for the Rebels. With Richard Hardwick struggling to make inroads at the ruck, the openside flanker imposed himself at the ruck and won a couple of penalties and a clean turnover too. He was also excellent at the lineout.
Stacey Ili once again showed his steady hand, straightening the attack well, and stepping up in the absence of Reece Hodge, who looks set to spend a spell on the sidelines after a “significant” finger injury.
The replacement props Cabous Eloff and Pone Fa’amausili, too, added huge impact in the open while they were questionably pinged by referee Dan Waenga, who came down hard on the visitors and seemingly turned a blind eye to several incidents.
First there was the dubious foot on the touch from Narawa as he attempted to twinkle-toe down the touchline (even the commentators weren’t convinced). So easy was the decision that not even the TMO was called for despite at least one angle showing his foot was in touch, while the reverse angle looked like the white chalk was touched despite his heel not completely down.
Next, Tyrone Thompson scored straight after half-time despite Josh Kemeny clearly tackled beyond the ruck by John Ryan, before halfback Cortez Ratima taking advantage of the space made by the illegal cleanout.
Later, the Rebels were pinged for a not straight throw by Anaru Rangi, which looked straighter than most. Finally, the Rebels were pinged consecutively at the scrum despite Stevenson, who needed to go onto the blindside flanker, pulling down his prop’s legs.
Nonetheless, the Rebels simply couldn’t string phases together and were punished on the counter as they looked gassed midway through the opening half.
“We started the game how we wanted to fast and with good intent and got out to a good lead, but ill-discipline and just inability to sort of exit, get out of our half, hurt us in that first half,” Wilkin said.
“We definitely came here confident. We knew that if we played good rugby we’d give them a good crack. But credit to the Chiefs, they’re a really strong side. They’ve got great depth and they made it a really hard game out there.”
After an early penalty to Hodge, two lovely balls from Gordon – the first to his Test centre Hodge and the next to Wilkin – saw Alex Mafi score in the 11th minute.
But then the wave of errors and pressure started to tell, as the Chiefs scored three tries in 15 minutes.
The first was straight out of the Chiefs’ playbook. After a poor kick-chase, Narawa burnt the Rebels’ defenders on the fringes and offloaded to his centre Rameka Poihipi, who scored a stunner.
Then, after a penalty to Gatland, Poihipi returned the favour as he chipped ahead for his winger and Narawa did it himself to score despite his questionable left-foot.
A mistake at the lineout saw then saw the visitors exposed on the fringes and a clever kick allowed Stevenson to join the party.
Some Gordon magic, together with Lachie Anderson, sent Ili into score on the stroke of half-time to stem the bleeding.
Carter Gordon was one of the Rebels’ best against the Chiefs. Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
But an early mistake allowed the Chiefs to strike a couple of fatal blows as Thompson and Stevenson scored in quick succession.
Nick Jooste’s try, which came from some forward momentum from Fa’amausili and fine work from the backs, gave the Rebels an outside sniff.
But Nanai-Seturo’s try meant there would be no second-half comeback despite David Feliaui’s late try.
Making matters worse for the Rebels is Hodge’s injury. The versatile Test back left the field midway through the opening half and looks set to spend a lengthy period on the sidelines.
“Hodgey is huge for us just from a leadership and work ethic perspective for the guys on the inside of him, but he’s got quite a significant injury there,” Foote said.
“There’s tendons there and the bone came out of the skin. I haven’t seen the doctor yet but they were quite concerned with it.
Reece Hodge suffered a serious hand injury against the Chiefs in Hamilton. Photo: Michael Bradley/Getty Images
“We’ll see if we can get him operated on as soon as possible.”
jeznez
Roar Guru
Jorgensen got no game time. He was taken purely for experience to train with the squad. My guess is as part of the package when signing him to union after the offers he had from NRL. Wilson did see game time but not much. Worth noting only because you say he hadn’t but he had played club (played first grade at Beasts) and had even made his Tahs debut as well. Anyway I think the kwy is that rather than say Wilson should not have been there is to say who should have instead.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Cad, watching the last 2 Tahs matches, M.Hooper still runs like the Energiser bunny and does more metres and close to more tackles than anyone else in his team. However I have often seen him go down on his haunches and struggle a bit to get back in position. At other times he seems to be easing up in tackling big boppers and quickly going to ground when tackled or passing the pill to marked players, presumably to avoid being tackled. I cannot put my finger on it and there are no reports, but I suspect he is either playing through pain of some injury or he is struggling with the mental side of staying up with all the training and pressure all the time. Whatever it is, I hope he comes right and wish him well as when he is on song, he is the best in Australia. (yeah, yeah, I'm a Tah supporter but I am unbiased when I see quality).
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
TOG, I agree. C.Gordon and/or his club should spend a bit of coin on a quality kicking coach. His field kicks are mostly OK, he boots the ball a mile when he unloads but his accuracy is still a bit dodgy. I think in an earlier SRP23 game, he torpedo-kicked a 50-22 from his own quarter. Mate, that is a really good kick. And his place kicks are not good at all and he seriously needs improvement if he wants to crack the higher rugger levels. Sure in a WB team he could depend on N.White or R.Lonergan to place kick, but what if he is selected with T.McDermott or (shudder!!) Jake Gordon. Neither of the "Gordon Twins" inspire confidence with place kicks. :shocked: :sick:
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
I agree there Jez, and nowhere did I state that C.Gordon should have been selected over B.Donaldson or T.Edmed. Both of those players were in better form last year and ear-marked for higher honours. The Aus A tours were mainly to see who could show up at the higher level of quasi internationals. I thought the Aus A tours were a fabulous idea, but lets select players on form and not the jersey colour and let the Academy kids take up places on the U20 teams (IF they are good enough). Two of the selections got game time and neither of them had even played a club match. They were school kids. That is wrong!
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
OK Max, seeing as you have no idea of Aussie Sr players I'll give a couple who have far more SR experience and were far better players that the academy boys that were picked in front of them. How about Kalani Thomas (Reds) or Issac Fines-Leleiwasa (Force), both of whom got shafted for a kid from the Tahs academy. One could also question how another Tahs academy kid with zero SR or even club experience (Max Jorgenson), got a gig on an Australia A tour over classy players with loads of SR experience such as Andy Muirhead (Brumbies) and Josh Flook (Reds). Now I agree that Jorgenson looks OK in the Tahs set-up THIS year though dare I say Flook and Muirhead were streets ahead of the kid in September last year. Note I am not saying Carter Gordon should have been picked on the Aus A tours last year as its only SRP23 that he has hit the purple patch. Lets see if he can keep this form up all year before I boot B.Foley or B.Donaldson from the WB squad. The forwards on the tours needed to be tough men so no academy kids were chosen, although how the hell the Tah prop Archer Holz was selected over far better props such as Cam Orr or Calbous Eloff I will never know. Most of the selections in the Aus A teams were fine and they did unearth players such as Langi Gleeson and the reinvigorated (ie; now has a bit more defence nous) Mark Nawaqanitawase. Even so I stick by my original article and ask "how the hell can we expect very good players to remain in Australia when they are constantly overlooked for higher honours, by duds or 17-18 year old kids with zero club experience from a certain sky-blue franchise?"
JC
Roar Rookie
Love Hodgey; wishing him a speedy recovery.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Carter Gordon is the form 10 . Everything he does is quick and classy . He and Lonergan would be my halves . I would like to see the Brumbies play Lonergan , Lolisio , Debrecezeni , Ikatua , Muirhead , Young Tooly and Wright . Fekoti does very little for me and we need a backup for Paisami and Kerevie who I’m sure is playing for the Dolphins . Wilkins is playing really well . He seems a bit small . But if small is the go he’s the man , better than OOPS and even McReight . I note that headgear and hair cuts draw attention to certain players . These days with dunny brush hair cuts it’s hard to pick anyone . McReight was wearing the the same RED as Wilson and Wilson picked up the Kudos . Gibson is lit up as well . Valentini with the Don King , the blond Trump look worked for OOOPS and long blond for McDermott . Long red is working for Gordon and Wilkins . Standing out can also be detrimental , you still have to do good things . I advise Pete Samu and Doc Holloway to become more visible . Pink for Pete and limerick green for Doc .
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Gordon keeps going from strength to strength and is just a matter of time before he is a regular starter for the Wallabies. Australia A certainly has been a great success for player development and confidence building, I enjoy watching players develop and seeing their hunger.
TiredOldGit
Roar Rookie
Yep, understand it was a combination of things that meant Gordon wasn't in the mix. I meant I wish there was alternate reality where he could've put his hand up prior to that tour rather than after it. Mainly because, as everyone knows, the 10 spot is a real worry and the WC is a few months away. Would've been great to have at least one solid young ten in the mix by now. After watching the rebels game I thought Carter's kicking boots would be enough to keep him out and then I watched Noah's efforts and it was back to square one.
Christy Doran
Editor
In some ways, I agree. But he also got to spend an entire off-season working alongside him team. His combinations and trust has been built from running the cutter at 10 without others like To'omua or JO'C coming back into the mix and owning it. He'll be in the mix this year.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Hoops has to cover for low workrate, Gleeson.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Refereeing in NZ! Foreign teams might as well be playing in Johannesburg.
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
Agree that CG is better than Edmed and Donaldson.
Kai Levuka
Roar Rookie
Aside from the blonde hair … Carter Gordon’s silky skills, particularly his passing, reminds me of David Knox. I think EJ has found his five eight. He’s head and shoulders better than both Edmed, Donaldson and Lynagh. I’d rate him over Lolesio as well.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Look, this game was there for the taking by the Rebs considering Chiefs announced that 5 ABs (Cane, Guzzler, Weber, Tupou & D-Mac) were to be sidelined in accordance with AB stand-down protocols. That policy had McMillan starting a new front-row, new locking partnership and re-jigged loose trio and that pack selection, certainly struggled in the first 15-20mins to get any coherence and combination. I noticed a few of these Chiefs, really sucking in the air trying to achieve, their "second wind". But gees, didn't it finally hit home in that 2nd qtr. Once the message went out to basically stop "chasing the game" and get more structure in their combinations, then we saw the Chiefs start to secure more possession for the backs in the 2nd qtr of the first half which led to the score blowing out, before the Rebs responded with Ili's try, going into HT. As the possession increased for the Chiefs then so did the speed of ruck returns, defence turn-arounds and improved decision making with "playing what's in front". A lot of Chiefs newbies, were certainly struggling with their aerobic capabilities in that first qtr but, if you've played any sport, it's all about how quickly a player can hit that "second wind", that allows you to start to stride out, for the rest of the match. All those newbies would've welcomed this hit-out, as another step towards achieving match fitness and improving their own, aerobic capacity. Hopefully, the next chance they get to start, won't be as taxing in the first qtr as what they met against the Rebs, yesterday.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Thugby, what I heard was that a lot of players were invited and didn’t make themselves available. Some due to injury, others to preserve eligibility for other nations. Gordon on current form would have been starting every game. He’s play at a different level to how he was last year though.
Angus
Roar Rookie
It’s exciting to watch. Love his attacking style.
Don M
Roar Rookie
Three games now for Brumby Jack D outside Ryan L, and he’s totally looked the goods …
Zero_Cool
Roar Rookie
Does this make JOC the front-runner for Wallabies perennial 23?
Clippers
Roar Rookie
My current backs list 9. Ryan Lonergan / N White 10. C Gordon / Quade 11. Koroibete 12. Kerevi / Foketi 13. Ikatau / Kellaway / Jordy P 14. Corey Toole / Marky N 15. Tom Wright Kellaway / jordy p covering multiple outside back spots on the bench