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The Rebels’ season of promise has taken yet another strong stride forward, as Brad Wilkin’s men held on to secure a controversial come-from-behind 40-34 victory over the Queensland Reds in Melbourne.
Trailing 14-0 after as many minutes, the Rebels quickly responded and extraordinarily took a 26-14 lead into the main break.
But the Reds managed to burst out of the blocks in the second half, with Brad Thorn’s half-time talk worked wonders as the visitors scored three straight tries to take back the lead.
Once again though, the Rebels came back scoring two converted tries to seize back the momentum and move to a 40-34 lead.
Vaiolini Ekuasi celebrates during his side’s win at AAMI Park on March 25, 2023, in Melbourne. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
It was at that back point, the controversy began at Television Match Official Brett Cronan lobbed twice in the final 10 minutes.
After replacement loose-forward Daniel Maiava appeared to have pounced on an under pressure Tate McDermott to run 50 metres to score, Rebels captain Brad Wilkin was first deemed to have stripped the ball loose of Harry Wilson.
Soon after, in the 77th minute, McDermott’s own try out wide, which would have given James O’Connor a chance to give the visitors a late lead, was rubbed out after Ryan Smith was deemed to hold Josh Kemeny back despite the flanker moving in the wrong direction.
Both incidents, particularly the latter, were criticised by former Wallabies Tim Horan, Drew Mitchell and Morgan Turinui on Stan Sport.
“It doesn’t stop him from getting there. He had already made his decision to go open,” Mitchell said.
“I just think that refereeing decision isn’t up to Super Rugby Pacific standard. I think Brett Cronan’s got it wrong. I think they’ve talked [Graham] Cooper into it. When he says it’s a clear hold back, it’s not. When they say it denies the opportunity to make a tackle that was never going to be made, it’s wrong. They’ve got that wrong,” Turinui added.
Tate McDermott was denied a late try that would have given James O’Connor the chance to put the Reds in front. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
The Reds had one final chance to win the game, but despite attacking the Rebels’ line for more than 14 phases some loose play meant the home side held on to secure an important win.
McDermott didn’t want to comment on the controversial decision to rub out his late try.
“I don’t know, we’ll have to have a look. But I’m pretty disappointed,” he said.
The halfback, who curiously came off the bench, bemoaned his side’s ill-discipline but said the Rebels deserved their win.
“I’ve got to take my hat off to the Rebels. They’re a different beast this year and they’re going to give a lot of teams a run for their money,” he said.
“But, from us, obviously very disappointing. We’ve got to pick ourselves up. We’ve got to move on.”
Wilkin, who was without his back-row fetching partner Richard Hardwick, paid tribute to his side’s ability to keep in the fight.
“Very relieved,” he said.
“That was a tough old battle. It went tip-for-tat, so I’m just very proud of the way the boys stuck in and fought back when tries were scored.”
Carter Gordon celebrates with Cabous Eloff after the Rebels hung on in a cliff-hanger over the Reds. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
It was the Rebels who blinked first during a helter-skelter match, as a sublime inside ball from James O’Connor saw Josh Flook coast through a hole to score after 10 minutes.
Jordan Petaia then made the difficult look easy as the Test outside back effortlessly pounced on a dangerous chip kick from Kelani Thomas to score and give the Reds a 14-0 lead.
But the Rebels hit back hard, as they started to win the physical battle and Carter Gordon managed to get quick ball as midfield pairing David Feliaui and Stacey Ili stormed over the gain line.
Ryan Louwrens scored a beautiful team try as Ili dropped the ball on the toe and Monty Ioane picked it up and found his halfback on the inside.
Kemeny, who was at the centre of the controversy at the end, then managed to claw his way over in tight, before Matt Gibbon gave the Rebels the lead after 31 minutes.
It was raining tries when back-rower Vaiolini Ekusai scored out wide to give the Rebels a 26-14 lead at half-time.
But the Reds came back, as Petaia and Flook grabbed their second tries and Ryan Smith barged his way over.
Some lovely work saw Joe Pincus make a timely hit back for the home side, before O’Connor gave the Reds a slender 34-33 lead after 65 minutes with a penalty.
But Angelo Smith’s try saw the Rebels move back in front, before the controversial ending.
The win saw the Rebels move into seventh spot on the standings on 10 points, one point behind the Reds who are in sixth.
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