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The Melbourne Rebels’ finals hopes have taken a hammer blow, after a heartbreaking 20-17 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
The match looked headed towards golden point before New Zealand referee Paul Williams penalised Richard Hardwick for not releasing at the breakdown three minutes into stoppage time.
It was a tough call – one of a number against the hard on-ball flanker in the second half – as Williams deemed the former Wallaby off his feet.
It allowed Highlanders centre Sam Gilbert to step up and bang over the match-winning penalty in the 84th minute to break the deadlock and seal the three-point victory.
Adding salt to the wound, the penalty against Hardwick came just minutes after a clear one was missed by Williams well within kicking territory.
With just 40 seconds remaining, Highlanders winger Jona Nareki made a good tackle on Joe Pincus but proceeded to drag the Rebels’ outside back replacement one metre on the ground. It led to a knock on at the ruck, as the Rebels attempted to get back on-side.
Both teams went into Saturday’s game on 15 points, three outside of the finals-bound top eight and desperate for victory.
Now, the Highlanders have scrapped into eighth spot and can go a long way to sealing a finals spot if they can knock over the seventh-placed Reds at home next weekend.
For the Rebels, they’ll have to beat the Force and Brumbies in successive weeks to stand a chance. But even then, they’ll have to rely on other teams to lose.
Monty Ioane reacts after the Rebels’ heartbreaking loss to the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on May 20, 2023, in Dunedin. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
The tension was there for everyone to see on Saturday afternoon.
Kevin Foote and his assistant Tim Sampson repeatedly looked aghast and frustrated in the coaching box in the second half.
No more was that the case when Sampson got up from his chair and walked away when Hardwick was penalised.
Foote’s side were brave. Indeed, the Highlanders had all the territory but the Rebels’ defence held up all valiantly.
But for all their territory, the Highlanders managed just two tries as their decision to turn down shots at goal came back to bite them.
It looked like they would seal a match-winning third try when captain Billy Harmon stormed over Reece Hodge in the 75th minute and linked up with James Lentjes just metres out from the Rebels’ line.
Somehow, however, Andrew Kellaway managed to get himself under the replacement loose forward and unbelievably prevent what looked like a certain try under the sticks.
Eventually though, the Rebels’ resistance ended when Gilbert – the Highlanders’ most consistent player in 2023 – kept their season alive by banging over a pressure-cooker penalty.
Richard Hardwick crossed for a first half try at Forsyth Barr Stadium, but his night was cruelled by a late penalty to the Highlanders on May 20, 2023, in Dunedin. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Earlier, the Highlanders jumped out to a seven-point lead when Connor Garden-Bachop’s try was awarded despite the strong hint of a knock-on before the final pass to the winger.
Rebels winger Lachie Anderson looked like he would hit back first-phase from a lineout play in the 22nd minute when he burst onto a smart ball from Stacey Ili.
Anderson was tackled just short of the line and could have reached out, but chose not to, recycled and Hardwick next phase dived over to hit back.
The Highlanders once again took the lead when Ethan de Groot was deemed to have crossed despite Alex Mafi appearing to bring the big prop down just short of the line.
The Highlanders would have been further ahead had it not been for Rebels winger Anderson, who made two try-saving tackles. It continued the former Australian sevens star’s impressive year, with the winger one of the most improved players in Super Rugby.
After a messy start to the second half, the Rebels once again took advantage of the home side’s poor handling and discipline when Ili spotted space near the Highlanders’ line and carried two defenders over to the score.
With the momentum in the game changing, Andrew Kellaway broke away on the fringes. While the Rebels didn’t take advantage of the opportunity, the Rebels managed to win a penalty from a scrum moments later and Reece Hodge kicked the Rebels ahead for the first time in the match after 61 mintues.
After coming away emptyhanded on several occasions, eventually the home side elected for the posts after replacement hooker Jordan Uelese was pinged for an early tackle. Gilbert made no mistake, levelling up the score at 17-17.
The Rebels managed to survive without their Test hooker and had the chance to seal a late win had they snapped a field goal, but only managed to turn it over and concede a penalty.
The missed chance allowed the Highlanders one last chance with regular time up on the clock.
The Highlanders’ patience paid off when Hardwick, so often the Rebels’ best in 2023 and one of the game’s best at the breakdown, was penalised. Gilbert did the rest.
“It’s so handy having someone like Gilbert who can kick it from anywhere, so he’s come in clutch and done an awesome job,” Harman said.
“At this point, a win’s a win. We could have put it away a lot earlier, we could have a done a lot of things a lot better, but the aim of the game is to get wins and that’s what we’ve done.”
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.