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.”
Ben
Roar Rookie
Did you deliberately not read Ash's post ......you need to calm down pal, using the word "lie". Ash asked "I’d like to see the stats on how many trans-tasman games this season have not been reffed by a kiwi?" I just provided that information. Or are you too thick to understand that??? Blatantly robbed !!! lmfao.....
Passit2me
Roar Rookie
Yep, but it had nothing to do with causing the knock on.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Familiar with the term "big picture"? I'm not talking about one off occasions but the past few years where NZ has been dominant over Australian test and SRP matches. Don't take it personally, I want to see Australia get better.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
What happened a week ago? Four Australian teams won. Reds won in NZ. Gold fish memory on you lad.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Did yo deliberately just leave games off to try to lie to prove your point? Rebels vs Hurricanes - James Doleman Rebels vs Crusaders - Ben O’Keefe Chiefs vs the Rebels - Dan Waenga All 5 trans Tasman games the Rebels have played have been reffed by kiwi Refs. Some ludicrous calls in all and blatantly robbed in 2 of them.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
I believe they are the same Phil. If the narrative is referees then all you are doing is cloaking the real issues because the former is easier to do. It's much harder to fix the overall playing standard, bloody hard in fact. And yes NZ rugby is in the same boat, just doing slightly better than Australia at present.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Once again, complaining about the quality of referees and blaming them for the poor results of Australian teams are two different things. It is possible to walk and chew gum at the same time.
Bondi Hawk
Roar Rookie
Refrees in rugby are never answerable. It is ridiculous and no one knows better. AFL comments on their decisions as they realise they are part of the organisation running a competition and should be accountable. It may be pressure on refs but why shouldn't they be accountable also. If no pressure there is little incentive to get better or not be influenced by a home crowd.
BlouBul
Roar Rookie
You can't drag a player, you must release him. Penalty.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
I totally agree that both countries are not at the peak of their powers. But one average team/teams (All Blacks, SRP) is beating another country/teams reasonably comfortably (over time) so my focus now is on Australia. But for people to blame the refs will not help your game until changes are made. And as for NZ? until Robertson takes over we won't know what influence Foster has had on the All Blacks performances. If results are still the same then there are bigger issues with NZ rugby.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
He wont ever be available for the ABs again unless he plays SR so if I was EJ Id be calling him ASAP. I cant begrudge him a WC. Good on him for giving it a shot. I really enjoyed his play and during his 80+ games for my Chiefs he was a favourite of mine. I like the new eligibility rules and look forward to seeing guys like Folau, Piatau, Feketoa etc turn out for countries other than their original choice. RA wants NZR to pay for everything now so whats the diff? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
I’ll just cut and paste from 3 weeks ago:”I want Australian rugby to get better, I’m getting tired of a lop sided competition. However, you will never win unless you start seeing the reality of the state of rugby in Australia. It is poor to average at present and denial of current results will not fix it. Do not blame the referee, start looking at how to improve your rugby so you start beating the NZ teams." We can do two things at once. Most Australians on the Roar want things to change. Whether that be a standalone comp or not is not the issue here. However, we also recognise the standard of reffing is poor. This is not saying if we got the 50/50 calls we would win. Far from it. But, besides the wins against Australian teams, things aren't going great guns in NZ at the moment. Less people watching games. The ABs losing more frequently.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
I was just depicting an end goal for Australian rugby, because that is what it is all about-fan engagement. Then work back from there.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Of course, but not sure what your point is besides stating the bleeding obvious and saying rugby in Australia isn't going well. Most Aust fans are in furious agreement that more needs to be done at grassroots and in the pathways to improve the level of rugby, but at the same time SRP needs to change to make it more attractive. I know many kiwis here make out that everything is golden with NZ rugby, but from 2 minutes research, things aren't exactly going well there in terms of fan participation. Crowd attendance is about the same as in Aust, which for a country where rugby is the national sport that should be a worry; and TV viewership is about 50% of where it was in the early 2000's.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
I agree with you that something has to be done with SRP. With all going well you would have thousands of screaming fans supporting their favourite team, with an unbreakable bond between the club and fans. I just watched the highlights of the Heineken final and there appeared to be a good , enthusiastic crowd in, going by admittedly the highlights I saw. Thousands of supporters welcomed the winning La Rochelle team home in a great display of enthusiasm. Wouldn't that be great to see in Australian rugby?
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Ben, it works this way. The Australian writers bemoan the ref, which means there's always an excuse, which means there is no reason to get better, which means Australian rugby writers can continue selling articles (always with accompanying advertising) bemoaning the ref, which provides an income to the writers. It provides a predictable income stream, which you can then go to a bank and borrow against, and grow your business. There are exceptions, The Australian comes to mind where the advertisers are not front and centre because it's a pet project, but generally this is how it works. One poster last week memorably suggested that The Roar perhaps could be renamed The Moan. :laughing:
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Jacko, I reckon you are itching for Kerr-Barlow to be picked so you can whinge that RA want Kiwis for nothing.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Aren’t they tired of that yet?? Yes, which is why many on here have called for SRP to be changed or scrapped. Options include: 1. For there to be a split with a domestic Australian comp that would generate more $$ and allow more money to be put into the grassroots. 2. For SRP to be run independent of NZR and RA and for it to be a standalone competition where NZ or Aust players can play for whoever they like without jeapordising their chance to be selected in the national team.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Too funny. You crying about Christy crying... Sook.
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
Mute point as the Highlanders will get bundled out in the first round (if they make it) of the finals, but out of interest what would you have rated Paul Williams' performance?