Queensland Reds
23
Match Complete
Rebels
21
| J. O'Connor |  | 77 | ||
| A. Mafi |  | 76 | ||
| 69 |  | M. Toomua | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 61 | ||
| 52 | | R. Hodge | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 48 | ||
| A. Mafi | | 47 | ||
| 44 | | M. Toomua | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 39 | ||
| 34 | | M. Toomua | ||
| 23 | | M. Toomua | ||
| J. O'Connor | | 21 | ||
| 6 | | M. Toomua | ||
| 1 | | M. Toomua |
| 2 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 7 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Melbourne Rebels make their Super Rugby AU debut for 2021 tonight, but they’ve been handed a tough first fixture, away to the Queensland Reds. Join The Roar for live scores of this Round 2 clash from 7:45pm (AEDT).
The Reds were lethal in their season opener last week, putting 41 points on the Waratahs to get their campaign started in the best way possible.
The Rebels should offer more resistance than the Tahs. The Melbourne outfit are coming off their first-ever finals appearance, and have a good cohort of Wallabies in their midst, including Matt To’omua, Joe Powell, Marika Koroibete and Reece Hodge.
Even so, it’s not a full-strength for the Melbournians. Campbell Magnay and Dane Haylett-Petty are notable injured absentees from the backline, and number eight Isi Naisarani is also unavailable.
The Reds have gone with a fairly settled side, the main change being Taniela Tupou’s promotion from the bench to the starting XV as Brad Thorn eases his star prop into the season.
There’s also a Super Rugby debut on the cards for high-profile cross-code signing Suliasi Vunivalu. The former NRL premiership winner will make his first appearance for the Reds tonight from the bench, after missing Round 1 through suspension.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Reds $1.17, Rebels $5 (odds via PlayUp
Teams
Reds
1-15: Dane Zander, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor (c), Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell
Bench: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Feao Fotuaika, Ryan Smith, Sam Wallis, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Suliasi Vunivalu
Rebels
1-15: Cabous Eloff, Jordan Uelese, Pone Faamausili, Steve Cummins, Trevor Hosea, Brad Wilkin, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Stacey Ili, Lachlan Anderson, Tom Pincus
Bench: Ed Craig, Isaac Aedo Kailea, Rhys van Nek, Rob Leota, Josh Kemeny, James Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, Frank Lomani
Bobby
Roar Rookie
You are 100% right
Bodger
Roar Rookie
He should be entering his peak age for a prop. I think he can do either job but I'd love to see him step up and consistently start. We expect so much from him as he is such a specimen. I think he is a confidence player and needs looking after and keeping him up.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I loved Wessels at the force. He was finally a guy that had his head screwed on and wanted exciting rugby. Since he has been at the rebels he has looked dishevelled and like he is fighting some serious demons. The rebels have got to be up there with the waratahs for the most mmboring attack in the southern hemisphere. I think Wessels should be on his last stand now. The rebels need some new ideas
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Joc is not a 10 and peteia is not a winger. Both should be vying for centre positions as they are incredible offloaders. Just laughable when people say Peteia should be a fullback, I haven't seen him make one high catch since he started SR. Daugunu and vunivalu for wings, obvious finishers. Paisami at 13 and joc and petaiea to fight for 12.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
His first choice was Canberra, he only chose Melbourne because of he and Ellyse wanted to be in the same city. Unfortunately no one can predict the future........
numpty
Roar Rookie
Old man yells at cloud*
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Trouble was he was on television
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Obviously he is joking around, I don’t think he really did it , but someone has to tell him to pull his head in. I can imagine those footy head kids (we all know a couple from back in the day) that would take it too far and be doing that at school.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
He kicked 6 goals and setup zero tries. In fact the Rebels barely came close to crossing the line all night. Against a team with better discipline and a referee not so keen to blow his whistle I wonder if he would have had such a ‘commanding’ performance.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Charlie, Perhaps the coach is hopeless?
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
Matt Toomua is a very good 10, almost as good if not better as he is a 12 in my opinion. He was very good for the Brumbies at 10. Was sad when he left and a bit disappointed when he came back to Melbourne rather than Canberra.
Blinky Bill
Roar Rookie
I only caught the last 10 or so of the game & thought (based on what I saw last week) that my Tahs would be no chance of beating the Rebs or any team in the Au comp :crying: . You have made my day. :happy:
soapit
Roar Guru
Yeah two home games in Brisbane in Feb to start maybe not the best idea
Kane
Roar Guru
According to the lions series yes they are
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Taniela s disgusting “nose gate” incident was just horrible to watch. Bloke should be fined $50 k for bringing the game into disrepute. What was the bloke thinking????? Shows his IQ is equal to the number on his back !
Bobby
Roar Rookie
One could say they were flacid.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
No
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Bodger, I agree he doesn't look fit. His general play was terrible but his last few scrums were huge. TT is such a hot and cold player. Probably why he is suited to be a Finisher.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I don't think they've been able to fill all their roster slots for a start. And if they have it's been in the last 10 days
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Rebels didn't look like scoring a try or offer much of a threat with the ball.