Melbourne Rebels
34
Match Complete
NSW Waratahs
27
| 81 |  | T. Edmed | ||
| 80 |  | T. Seu | ||
| R. Hodge |  | 73 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 65 | ||
| C. Gordon | | 64 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 61 | ||
| M. Gibbon | | 60 | ||
| 55 | | T. Edmed | ||
| 54 | | C. Gamble | ||
| 47 | | T. Edmed | ||
| 46 | | M. Nawaqanitawase | ||
| R. Hardwick | | 34 | ||
| 29 | | T. Edmed | ||
| L. Anderson | | 25 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 23 | ||
| R. Hodge | | 22 | ||
| 8 | | T. Edmed |
| 5 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Melbourne Rebels are out to secure their first win over the Super Rugby Pacific season when they host the NSW Waratahs in an all-Australian Friday night blockbuster. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 7:35pm (AEDT).
The Rebels are searching for their first win of 2023 and will be full of confidence after nearly pulling off an upset against the Hurricanes in Super Round, with Richard Hardwick leading the way.
His on-ball presence will be key for the Rebels to get one over the Waratahs and take the Weary Dunlop Shield.
The Rebels forwards also see cult figure Cabous Eloff back in the front row; that is one area where they can more than match the Waratahs, who may be still sore from a very physical match against the Drua.
The visitors also welcome back some big names of their own as Harry Johnson-Holmes returns to the front row in the starting side and Ned Hanigan returns to action from the bench.
The Waratahs have been able to name an unchanged backline that will give them confidence as they build their cohesion that gives them a slight edge over the Rebels.
Max Jorgensen has had an impressive start to his professional career so far, adding another try to his collection against the Drua and he has shown he can handle the tough stuff after being involved in some big hits last week.
On the other side, Monty Ioane has had a quiet start to his Rebels career and will need to start firing to get the Rebels on the board in 2023.
This match could come down to the tactical kicking of the big boots – Reece Hodge and Ben Donaldson.
Donaldson is starting to make the fullback position his own and pushing his claims for higher honours after being sighted on Eddie Jones’ infamous ‘list’ in the AAMI Park stands last week.
Game information
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Rebels $2.90, Waratahs $1.42 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Josh Canham, Trevor Hosea, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin (c), Richard Hardwick, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Stacey Ili, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Joe Pincus.
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr, Pone Fa’amausili, Tuiana Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Lukas Ripley, Nick Jooste.Advertisement
Waratahs (1-15): Tom Lambert, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson.
Reserves: Mahe Vailanu, Te Tera Faulkner, Daniel Botha, Taleni Seu, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Teddy Wilson, Ben Dowling.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
A skill that Noah doesn’t have. Noah doesn’t control the game. Good to see Carter with authority and dictating the game.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Tell them and maybe they might do something
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Let me know about it too
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I’ve registered a complaint. They asked what type of device (brand new Samsung TV) and they said they’d look into it.
Paul
Roar Rookie
And a willingness to tackle.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Leroy14 what I'm loving about Gordon is his willingness to throw the kitchen sink at every play. He doesn't go crazy and still made a couple of errors but they're forgiveable because he plays with intent. I think the Stan Sports commentary team made the point that he's been able to coordinate forwards and backs and do it purposefully.
Paul
Roar Rookie
I think difference was fitness and depth. The Rebels have depth now that Ive not seen before. Mafi off, Uelese on; Eloff off, Fa'amausili on. Tualima and Ekuasi have both been immense off the bench. As for fitness, they looked sluggish against the Force but the last two weeks they've been able to really dig deep. I think the Waratahs underestimated the Rebels ability to bring high intensity for the full 80.
Paul
Roar Rookie
HiKa, I think a bit of both but to be fair to Stacy Ili, he's gone next level and Hodge may have finally found a permanent home in 13.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Angus needs to have a sip of whatever Ben OKeefe is drinking. And thinking.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
To complete a tackle a defender needs a hand on the attacking player which needs a knee on the ground. After that what happens doesn’t matter the player is tackled.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I’m not sure, is it Sampson? I was critical of Foote last two seasons but the side looks better over the past two weekends - they’ve improve game on game and it’s a shame they didn’t play as well as this week v the Canes.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Spot on Thugby. Langi was robbed. Gus Gardner has devolved as a referee.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
That is a harsh but fair call. Hoops has been quiet
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes, I admit CG is out pointing TE in this game. Very assured performance from the Rebel- and all while playing with that handicap haircut
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Attack coach take a bow.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes Rhys, Rebels surprised me. Winning by more than by a Foote. Who is the attack coach?
Don M
Roar Rookie
And Coleman, who the Sydney-centric rugby scribes/commenters were telling us was the best thing since sliced bread.
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
Dicky Hardwick deserves a mention there too mate :thumbup:
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. Carter is looking the best Aussie Flyhalf currently in the super rugby on form at this point. He has such a great flat long pass and can sniff out space and/or create it. Lynagh is behind Carter now and I think Noah has a lot of work to do before he is given more chances for the Wallabies. See how JOC fairs in the coming matches.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
That's happened to me before several times! Tonight's issue was getting out of the match and then when getting back in its forgotten how much I've watched...