Rebels hold off Force

Rebels hold off Force

23 Mar 2012

GARETH DUNCAN reports on the Rebels’ 30-29 win over the Force in Melbourne.

The Rebels led 24-12 at half-time, but a strong second-half performance from the Force saw the visitors gain a 29-27 advantage late in the final quarter. The Perth team held the ascendancy and built good momentum, before a Mark Gerrard penalty edged the Rebels ahead. While possession jumped hands several times in the dying moments, the hosts had the composure to close off the match and achieved their first win of the season.

The Rebels suffered some injury blows in the pre-match warm-up, with inside centre James O’Connor and fullback Richard Kingi pulling out with hamstring injuries. However, flyhalf Danny Cipriani, who was struggling with flu last week, was highly influential in the team’s impressive start to the match.

The Melbourne side was very clinical on attack as Cipriani’s playmaking skills created early scores. This saw them surge into a 14-0 lead, with centres Lachlan Mitchell and Lloyd Johansson dotting down in the opening 15 minutes after some smart backline interplay. A counter attack, which was inspired by Gerrard from inside the Rebels 22, put Cirpiani through for a clear run to the whitewash.

The English flyhalf limped off with a hamstring injury moments later, a loss that clearly made a negative impact as the Force hit back with two tries via flanker David Pocock and inside centre Winston Stanley to reduce the deficit to 12 points at the break.

The Force maintained their momentum in the second half, scoring 10 points in eight minutes as wing Alfie Mafie beat three defenders to dive over while fullback David Harvey added a conversion and penalty. Outside centre Nick Cummins then powered through from close range to grab a telling try, one that gave the visitors the lead for the first time.

The Rebels lacked the fluency they had on attack in the first half, but capitalised on the Force’s ill-discipline. Pocock’s men conceded several penalties at the death, and Gerrard slotted one of them from a difficult angle as the Rebels sneaked in for the win.


77 Comments

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  • 1.Horings: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 10:36 am

    O Connor is out injured! Damn you Rebels! Had both him and Goosen last week and they made a killing.

  • 2.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 10:43 am

    Cmon on Rebels!

    @Horings(Horings)-1: Really? That sucks! I had him in my supersport fantasy team but not my fox one.

  • 3.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 10:58 am

    I think I must just quit Superbru this season.

    14-0 to the Rebels? Seriously?

  • 4.weakoma: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 10:59 am

    @Tacitus(Deucalion)-3: I dont think many called the Rebels for this game..its still a long way to go, hope Force comes back..

  • 5.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:03 am

    Eish I have Force by 4, and the damn Rebs score again.

  • 6.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:04 am

    Rebels shutting me up good so far.

    The Force have no other option now to attack which is gonna make this one another cracker.

  • 7.VusaniJack: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:10 am

    what happened to O’connor??? He’s my captain…

  • 8.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:13 am

    Well well well. My Superbru pick was for the Rebels to win by five, but it would take a gutsy Force comeback just to make the scores that close.

    At the risk of being VERY premature with my celebrations, I do think that JC and Vrede have been abysmal this season at picking the matches. A 55% success rate is appalling, little better than a fair coin. And they’re both experienced rugby writers, they should be far more accurate.

    I’m just glad I didn’t place bets according what they predicted.

    Anyway, 24-7, go Rebels!

  • 9.welcome to my life, hugh...: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:14 am

    wow force, wow.
    go on…ruin my day…

  • 10.welcome to my life, hugh...: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:15 am

    bit of a fight back, come on force.

  • 11.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:16 am

    Man that Peacock chap scares me, what a player. He scored the first try and setup the second!!!

  • 12.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:18 am

    Pocock is in my fantasy league and is captain! Always get great points!

  • 13.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:21 am

    The Mauler – Why can’t Spies play like that?

  • 14.VusaniJack: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:24 am

    Spies got 56 points before the bye…was the best player of the round.

  • 15.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:25 am

    @welcome to my life, hugh…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-10:

    Force would be happy enough at halftime after being down by 21.

    If they score first after half-time the Rebels will panic, that’s what I’m hoping for anyway.

  • 16.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:28 am

    Jislaaik this is a turn-up for the books.

    When O’Conner, Beale, Mortlock are back from injury they’ll be a handful for sure.

    Or maybe it;s the youngsters that are doing the business?

    Cipriani played really well when he was on.

  • 17.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:29 am

    Race… Thats a good question but it comes down to consistency… One game great and the other nowhere… Pocock plays every game at 110%!

  • 18.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:32 am

    Yeah, Force are fighting back. I have to say I’m impressed. Oh, and a little disappointed that the Rebels lacked the ability to put their foot on the Force’s throat and finish off the game. Three converted tries up and instead of putting this one away they got cocky.

    Force now have momentum, but Rebels can’t think negatively. They are in the lead after all. Hopefully for the rest of the match!

  • 19.welcome to my life, hugh...: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:37 am

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-15:
    would be nice for my bets.

    how bout that, try just as i was replying.

  • 20.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:38 am

    Brilliant try. Well done Force

  • 21.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:39 am

    @welcome to my life, hugh…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-19:

    You see :-) !

    Rebels’ heads are starting to hang low.

    Hou kop Force

  • 22.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:43 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-2: hey, still waiting for details of the keo group on fantasy fox?

  • 23.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:43 am

    I got Rebels by 3. Cmon Rebels hang in there!

  • 24.ufo: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:44 am

    I did pick the rebels to win this one… but didn’t know o’connor was out…

    but looks like they won’t get over the line…

    c’est la vie

  • 25.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:46 am

    @Papoose(papaown)-22: Speak to Hendrik Pienaar. He is the one who started the group. When I see him again I will ask him to release the details of the group.

    I have Pek Cowan starting for my supersport fantasy. I hope he gets a run.

  • 26.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:48 am

    Well now that I have sliced my thumb, had a good cry, bandaged it in cottenwool and stickytape, I am glad to see Force catching up.

  • 27.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:53 am

    Yessshhhh!!! Go Rebels keep it up boys! This win will give me 2 from 2.

  • 28.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:55 am

    On Fox Fantasy do they sub automatically for you if a player doesnt play?

  • 29.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:55 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-25: i see, ok will look out for Hendrik then

  • 30.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:57 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-28: yes they do, you can check total points on Monday, same happened to me when i had Jantjies starting but then he was removed on matchday. Goose gave me max points :-)

  • 31.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:57 am

    @Papoose(papaown)-29: cool

  • 32.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:57 am

    TRY Force, Nick Cummins!

  • 33.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:58 am

    has O’Connor been subbed? had him as my Captain for this week and i dont see him doing much

  • 34.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:59 am

    @Papoose(papaown)-30: Ok cool. Well Done. That boy is a points machine!

  • 35.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:59 am

    Score!

    Didn’t that look like the move the Boks did vs B&I Lions between Du Preez n Habana?

  • 36.weakoma: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 11:59 am

    Force should close this game out now..Need it for my SuperBru..

  • 37.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:00 pm

    @Papoose(papaown)-32: Nooooooo!!!!

    @Papoose(papaown)-33: I think he pulled up injured before the game. Tough luck. Who is the replacement?

  • 38.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:01 pm

    @weakoma(weakoma)-36: No! Need Rebels to kick a drop or something seal the game and my bru!

  • 39.Hoops: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:03 pm

    Keep it Force! This will make it 2/2 on the Bru! Keep it FORCE! Force your way out of this position!!

  • 40.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:05 pm

    If the Aussie conference isn’t the weakest it certainly is the most boring.

    We kick, then you kick. The we kick again, back to you and so forth.

  • 41.weakoma: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:06 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-38: Did not expect the Rebels to push the Force this hard, most of the games this year is within a bonus point..

  • 42.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:07 pm

    @Hoops(Hoops)-39: What position? Are they on their tryline? Go Rebels!! Just a drop or penalty will seal it!

  • 43.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:09 pm

    @weakoma(weakoma)-41: The Rebels have improved alot since last year. I think their forward pack is carrying the team currently because their backline stars have mostly been injured.

  • 44.Hoops: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:10 pm

    NOOOOO!!!!

  • 45.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:10 pm

    How can you kick away the ball when you’re on attack in the opponent’s half, trailing by 1 point with 15 minutes to go?

  • 46.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:10 pm

    Oh Yeah oh Yeah Oh Yeah go rebels go rebels. Two from Two Two from Two.

    Now just keep it tight and keep ball in hand!

  • 47.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:11 pm

    5 Minutes correction

  • 48.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:11 pm

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-45: Who is this now? The Rebels?

  • 49.weakoma: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:12 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-43: I agree, but with Beale and O’Connor out I expected the Force to take it with ease..

  • 50.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    23 Mar 2012, 12:12 pm

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-47: lol ja thought so! This is not football.

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