The Rebels have been left to rue a second half collapse, as Brad Wilkin’s walking wounded were punished by Beauden Barrett’s Blues in Melbourne.
The home side led 17-13 after a courageous first half but conceded 41 unanswered points to lose 54-17.
It was a cliff dive of embarrassing proportion, but worse could still be to come if the Rebels forwards don’t recover from injury following next week’s bye-round.
Starting hooker Alex Mafi was forced off early with a hand injury, before his main lineout caller Trevor Hosea joined him shortly after with a knee-injury.
Making matters worse, recalled Wallabies rake Jordan Uelese, Mafi’s replacement, was helped off the field at half time after suffering a knee-injury himself.
And when Test prop Pone Fa’amausili was assisted from the field too, the Rebels could barely field a team as tight-head prop Sam Talakai threw into the lineout.
Jordan Uelese is assisted off the field against the Blues at AAMI Park, on April 08, 2023, in Melbourne. Photo Kelly Defina/Getty Images
The devastating tight-five injuries meant the Rebels would have little chance of keeping the threatening Blues at bay.
Eventually, having hung on for dear life in the opening half, the Rebels’ resistance broke and the tries came quick and fast.
With Barrett pulling the strings, the visitors scored seven unanswered tries in the second half. Only Barrett’s dodgy boot kept the score blowing out even further.
“It’s just a mindset shift,” Barrett said.
“I know there’s a few doubters around but I’m playing with a smile on my face, and that’s all that matters. We came over here to do a job and we did it.
“I just wanted to get back out here and enjoy my footy and the big boys gave me an opportunity to do that on the front foot at times. It wasn’t a perfect game, it never is, but it’s good to be smiling again.”
Barrett’s smiles were naturally not matched by the Rebels, who came into the match sniffing an upset.
With a building front-row, the Rebels had the power to match the Blues up front in the set-piece.
But the injuries to the quartet meant it was going to be an uphill battle in the second half.
“That second half really stings,” Wilkin said.
“We were in the game at half time, we were leading, and then came out in the second half and lost momentum.
“We had a few personnel changes and that brought a bit of disruption and we just didn’t react and we couldn’t recover from that.
“Losing your main lineout caller and two of your hookers throws a bit of a spanner in the works.
“We thought we were putting them under a bit of pressure with their exiting but we just weren’t able to maintain possession and that was the game really.
“We’ve got to be better at managing those challenges and adapting to the conditions and all those environmental factors. It’s a big learning experience for the group.”
Finlay Christie scores for the Blues at AAMI Park, on April 08, 2023 in Melbourne. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
The Rebels took an early three-nil lead after a penalty to Reece Hodge in the ninth minute.
But the home side’s inability to clear their own line well after scoring points hurt them, as Sam Darry scored to hit back for the visitors two minutes later.
After surviving a number of scares, as Barrett and winger Mark Telea stretched the home side brilliantly, it was the Rebels who scored next as Andrew Kellaway finished off a brilliant try.
It came after a stunning bit of play first phase from their own goal line, as Hodge turned the ball back on the inside to Carter Gordon who unleashed Lachie Anderson. The passage of paly ended soon after with Kellaway dummying and scoring out wide.
But once again the Blues punished the Rebels for their poor exit and Barrett added shaved off three points in the 29th minute.
Four minutes later Ricky Riccitelli scored out wide to give them the lead.
The Rebels somehow took a surprising first half lead when Uelese, hobbling on one leg, hit his target from the lineout and the Wilkin got on the end of a powerful maul.
But it was all one way traffic in the second half, as the Rebels struggled to take their few chances, including a baulked first lineout throw from Talakai, and failed to observe the wave of pressure from the Blues.
Barrett, who had copped plenty of criticism after not being able to lead the Blues to frustrating narrow losses to the Crusaders and Chiefs, said his side knew they would eventually break the Rebels’ backbone.
“We were pretty calm at half time because we knew that if we kept doing what we were doing, they’d crack,” he said.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Or… they have a good reputation to develop players and young upcoming players prefer to sign with the Brumbies….and as they get all the best upcoming young players they appears to be better at developing players. With Wallabies better spread across franchises and others like the Force investing heavily in player development it would be interesting to see how this plays out.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
There was an offer with some strings attached like improvements to the governance of Rugby Australia. The strings was a little bit long for Rugby Australia (NSW).
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
Wasn’t aimed at you mate, I know you support all Aussie rugby :thumbup:
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
He runs straight, doesn't shirk the hard work, runs in support and played at 8 for the Rebels. He is also bulking up in a controlled manner.
jeznez
Roar Guru
G'day CB, do you think my post was primarily to hang shade on the Rebels or stick up for the Tahs? I'm over the interstate knocking as well. Tahs didn't even play this round but still came in for some target practice.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I think its more about priorities Cannonball. Some things are needed and just cant be done without. I question how much money was paid to Rennie to leave and if you want to go further, how much money was spent chasing Eddie with Rennie still warming the seat. All about priorities.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
So put the same system in place that NZ has had, be patient, and wait till the system works and creates better skilled and better rugby brained players coming thru an NRC.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Rugby nutter an NRC is crucial to sort that development level between club and SR. RA keeps failing badly in that area. Please tell me what NZR get from a "free for all" opening up and having its players playing in Aus teams? NRC is the only longterm solution that raises the level of rugby in Aus as having a whole bunch of NZ players in your SR sides does nothing in the longterm. There is no way I want to to see Dmac, Brodie, Webber, etc playing for an Aus side but it was just 2022 when JOC wanted to join the Chiefs and RA blocked the move so RAs policy is the same as NZRs. If rugby aint your thing then definately go and find another sport but be aware that equality across a comp doesnt exist' Why is it that Aus sides are weaker than NZ sides in general? Its the system. Fix the system. That will require an NRC.
Brion
Roar Rookie
Wallabies cant choke in the Bledisloe, as they are never the favourites. :happy:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah they are. Gibson the only one who deserved what he got but it isnt even if they should go its the manner in which they are treated.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I cant think of 1 NZ coach that either hasnt been driven out or isnt currently being driven out. Sooner or later a coach doesnt succeed but if its a NZ coach they are treated far worse than if they arnt.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Why lose confidence in NZRU to fix anything?…it’s RA’s problem to fix, NZ teams can only put out the 15 players on the field, the question is why are they better than Australia’s players all the time? No point in NZ giving access to its players, what’s in it for them to do that?, this isn’t schoolboy rugby, they won’t want to water down their player development by sending them over here to be dumbed down by having to play i our teams. The question is why are Australian rugby players not as good as NZ ones, find the answer to that and we can start working on being competitive.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Bugger
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Best not to read the live scores. I tend not to now for the most part, with some exceptions. It is ALWAYS just full of complaints and ref bashing and accusations of bias and cheating etc. it brings out the worst in everyone.
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Jeznez. Have heard Will Harrison injured himself again in Shute Shield and came from the field early. Not good. Hope it is not serious.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
I disagree about just RA sorting it out Jacko as we need to look at the reality that we need to change the format of super rugby if it wants to continue. I would prefer oz have their own super rugby competition but clear with agreements not going to happen. To fend of league and grow the game we need to maintain and even grow the footprint over time. Nz has the players and depth for more then 5 teams but not the economics or population to support more then 5 teams. So either nzru comes to the table and allow more free flow of players or we accept super rugby is going to be a failed and continuing declining product that gives league and afl a continued free hit. This head in the sand approach is frustrating and this continued poor super rugby product is continuing to drive fans away from both sides of the ditch. I have lost confidence in nZRU and RA to come together to fix this and need to find another sport.
Faith
Roar Rookie
And when you factor that Blues played Force without their starters ... not to takeaway Force battler spirit ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
Nope, Segner swns on the wing and kills the ball too many times when he needs to pass. Also, he;s lightweight - imagine him in a Finals grind against Chiefs and Saders.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
Those injuries wouldn't suit an under 15s. Take the positives from the first 40. The sky isn't falling on this one.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Lol. BBB missed 5 conversions (some of them sitters for an international 10). It's one thing BBB chipping over a tired Rebels defence once the game is won and getting lucky bounces and beating any other front-runners. The shovelling of passes, poor return kicks were there in the 1st half. For ABs best he stays on bench and Jordan is given 15.