Melbourne Rebels vs Hurricanes: Super Rugby Pacific live scores, blog

I think Uelese’s primary issue is role. He isn’t suited at edge, which is where most coaches use their hooker. Most are wanting to play a “fat” 7. Jordan is more of another 8 like Tamati Ioane, suited to the middle role

Rebels have a strong pack and a backline that’s good at some things and weak at others. Play to the pack and let the backs chime in when opportunity arises.

I’m not sure about 2nd in Aus. I honestly fill like with Philip out all season and Leota most of it, middle of the pack for our teams is where we will end up. If we can maintain the younger players and pick up a good centre with Hodge going I can see us on an upward trajectory at least.

You’re right in that any number of the Canes players (or a few Rebels for that matter) could have been the one picked out for the penalty. The Ref decided Ardie was the man to penalise, though it wasn’t fully explained…I think he just wanted to make a call quickly and move on. But to comment on your point about the YC being overboard, the team was on a warning for too many penalties in the Red zone. So the offence was only worth a penalty but then made a yellow due to the the prior team warning.

Yeah, touch team to follow. Part of it, I think, is that they often don’t have year-to-year continuity in critical positions. Often guys moving along after 2 seasons. Hoping they can keep most of the current playing group together…especially as some local talent is coming through. Pone Fa’amausili, Rob Leota, Trev Hosea, Jordan Uelese And Monty Ioane all locals. Pete Samu and Rob Valetini also pretty handy players that moved interstate from Vic. Also hoping, like WA, that things are building here :thumbup:

Got to see most of the match live (despite Jetstar doing everything they could to stop me getting to Melbourne in time) and wow! Didn’t the Rebels put on a show in the second half? If they can minimise the silly errors and keep their best players on the field, they’ll be in contention for the play-offs, especially with some firepower from Philip and Leota returning late in the season.

Rebels are a funny team, lots of people calling to can them to better the depth of the other Aussie teams. If you look at a lot of their results, they can push teams and lose by just a few points.. or they can get a good ol thrashing. Just lack that ability to close out a game. A lot is due to the lack of experience, or a lack of stamina? Another prime example today. They gave themselves a great opportunity to win it at the end.. but lost the plot, fumbled it etc. to bad really

She’s American, but had to get a black 10 jersey. No prizes for guessing who was the ABs 5/8 at the time :silly:

Agree re Pone. He was the catalyst for the comeback. Great performance. Uelese didn't get any love from Rennie. Will be interesting to see if Eddie feels differently. He's never going to be a workhorse - strong set piece, good carry, tough tackler. Can he deliver enough?

S.Ili was all over J.Barrett like a bad case of tinea. You are dead right that once the Rebels had a crack and stopped aimlessly kicking for territory to a team the thrives on counter-attack, they looked a lot better. I hope the Rebels reflect on where they went wrong, each individual sits down and writes down his errors and focuses on minimising (if not eliminating) them. This includes the coaches who changed tactics at half time and we saw what the Rebels are capable of. If they are honest with themselves, the Rebels can take a lot from this game. As it was, I enjoyed the match. True the refs stunk the joint up at times, but smart captains and players will adjust. That's rugby. :stoked:

Good to see Pone come on tonight and really make an impact, bending the line and disrupting their defence - took 3 or 4 defenders to get the big fella stopped. Held up the scrum OK as well - exactly what you want from your tight head finisher as they call replacements these days. He's only good for the last 25 mins mind you. Uelese should have been on earlier, I am unashamedly a fan but his coaches don't seem as enamoured.

I don't think it was. Dane Coles was the bloke who should have got the team yellow for grabbing the Rebels 2nd rower around the throat and rolling him. Others joined in and from that melee, big Brave Ardie picked on the Rebels 5/8. I am sure that J.Dolemen gave him 10 for rushing into the melee and starting further trouble. He later did his throat slit to the half back. Good to see the man only takes on the small blokes. When Alex Mafi approached him, it was noticeable that he quickly walked away muttering before the Canes waterboy yanked him off the field before he got himself into further strife (the smallish Rebel's winger wasn't that far away). :sick:

PS - even if, god forbid, she supports the ABs (like my missus)

Yeah, agree unfortunately :laughing: I hope they do ok otherwise. They’re my local team so I try and get along to support them. The players we’ve met have met are all top shelf people and very appreciative. Beating the Landers last year was such a great day, and we got to take the kids on the field after to meet all the players of both sides. I’m hoping my daughter will grow up to follow rugby, and support her local team, no matter where she lives :thumbup:

Thought canes coach was pretty poor with the “ are we gunna talk rugby” when asked about the throat slit. Umm he is the captain. Fair question Should have then asked about the dodge ruck calls but none of the crack team at Stan even picked up on them. They were critical points of difference . Never expected rebels to get that close. Hope they can build on that. Looked better when running the ball , too much aimless kicking . Hardwick , Carter(when running) and ili very good .

He is getting better every game IMO. Needs to have Ili every week at 12 and get linking to Monty.

To be fair he's more ineffectual than terrible. Probably the weakest in attacking across SR.

I think because in league, all the refs fall under NRL control. With RA and NZR having different approaches to some parts of the game, there are bound to be calls of favouritism - real or just perceived. Personally, I prefer the Judge Dread approach :stoked:

Yeah.. sometimes. The 71 points the Blues put on them wasn’t great last year. But they should beat the Highlanders.. But I can’t see them beating the Chiefs/Blues or crusaders this year. Might go close :thumbup:

I don’t mind the refs calling players by their names…they do it with literally every player in rugby league and it’s fine. But honestly how can a NZ ref ask a NZ player 3 times if he wants him to check the grounding? And then send it up as a try? Just unbelievable behaviour. Did the ref ask the Rebels captain if he wanted to check the hands in the ruck/on the ground for Canes last two tries? Just astonishing comms caught on the mic and nothing being said about it.