Rebels punish bumbling Blues
5 Apr 2012
JON CARDINELLI reports on the Rebels’ 34-23 win against a hapless Blues outfit on Friday.
It was fitting that the Rebels scored a seven-pointer on the hooter, because the Blues didn’t deserve a bonus point. They were outplayed at the collisions on this occasion and their lack of leadership, synergy and unity continues to hamper their performances.
They were on top for much of the first half, although the half-time scoreline won’t reflect the fact. With Tony Woodcock back, the Blues pack had the Rebels on the rack, and if not for some schoolboy handling errors the visitors may have earned more than nine first-half points.
The Rebels hung on during the early stages. Their defence did an admirable job, and it was on the back of a determined defensive effort they Kurtley Beale snatched an 80-metre intercept try. Their forwards continued to beat the Blues to the breakdowns, and their defence swallowed up Blues ball-carriers who were guilty of standing far too flat.
The pressure applied by the Rebels often forced the Blues to make poor decisions which inevitably led to turnovers and lost possessions. The Blues took the lead through some smart handling at the start of the second stanza, but this was rare example of the visitors’ ability to string several passes together or indeed show any kind of synergy.
Jarrod Saffy had an outstanding game on defence and at the breakdown, while James O’Connor exposed some tired and patently disinterested Blues defence. O’Connor scored 23 points on the night, and aside from an important goal-kicking display, his surges with ball in hand allowed the Rebels to cross the gainline regularly.
The performance will serve as confirmation that the once mighty Blues have hit rock bottom. They continue to struggle at the lineout while their overall forward play hasn’t been up to standard.
They will argue that the loss of All Blacks Anthony Boric, Jerome Kaino and Daniel Braid has impacted on their forward effort, but there just doesn’t seem to be much direction in their game nor the necessary leadership when the game is tight.
The Rebels deserve credit for what is a valuable, and rare, win. They were always going to be tough to beat in Melbourne, but they will need to start beating sides away from home if they want to be taken seriously in this competition.
164 Comments
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5 Apr 2012, 15:44 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-148:
that “misery and humiliation” is self inflicted. remember two things. in the mid 1990′s transvaal was both super 10 champions and the richest rugby union in the world.
today they cant even attract top talent both at office level or top playing talent. then when investors come to them with a plan to rejuvenate the union, they decide to stick to their old ways. what happens to the lions is entirely their own fault.
5 Apr 2012, 15:47 pm
SARU would be foolish to introduce promotion/relegation when its a fact that NZ and Aus would never do that to their own rugby.
5 Apr 2012, 15:51 pm
the shambolic situation with the guma group exposed the underbelly of south african rugby. there is an unspoken pact that rugby in SA be an exclusive sport, regardless of the demographic of this country and the upward mobility and emergence of a new middle class. that’s where all the future opportunities lie. the lions sent out a strong message on behalf of the entire fraternity by deciding that a move away from ellis park to soweto would never happen.
5 Apr 2012, 15:56 pm
@viewer(viewer)-151:
no, i feel misery and humiliation as a saffa when i see how they allow themselves to played with by the kiwi and ozzie boys.
this is not about being a lions supporter anymore…its gone beyond that…
5 Apr 2012, 16:01 pm
i’m out for the day,
enjoy your easter drinking, folks…
6 Apr 2012, 01:22 am
how can a side with two of most destructive gambreakers in the comp
lose against Rebels??
Ranger
Nonu
6 Apr 2012, 01:25 am
Woodcock,Meleamu, Williams,Braid,Mika, Mathewson,Weepu,Nonu,Stanley,Wulf,
Ranger
All Black side – the coach is to blame if not able to get results with such talent.
6 Apr 2012, 01:27 am
Jarrod Saffy is tackling machine. Must wear the Wallaby 6 jersey,
6 Apr 2012, 03:07 am
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-158:
He actually doesn’t have a choice but to tackle because his pack are always on the back foot.
Can he play an effective game when his pack has the upperhand?
That remains to be seen.
He was good yesterday, I agree.
6 Apr 2012, 04:15 am
He used to coach the Hurricanes too and lead them to nothing. It’ nice to see that all the stars from Wellington still can’t make you a good coach. Waa-laaa MTHR-FKRS
6 Apr 2012, 06:43 am
Pat Lam and Michael Foley aren’t bad coaches, their clubs are the richest ones in NZ and Aus respectively,
both coaches seemingly are unable to produce a winning super rugby teams, I have no answer to that
While weepu always seemed a dud car purchase, Elsom and Sarel Pretorius are quality acquisitions while Berrick Barnes is regarded as the Wallabies best bet at 10, so what has gone wrong?
6 Apr 2012, 14:34 pm
If kings play super rugby cheetahs players will have in their contracts get out clauses in their contracts so that they can join the team.
6 Apr 2012, 23:31 pm
Pat Lam hang your head in shame
Mark Hammett doesnt look so dom after all?? Wow he dismantled Canes of almost all their AB’s barring Smith,Jane,Vito yet they are playing excellent rugby. Likes of Barrett,Andre Taylor,Savea,Jack Lam,Coles,Perenara,Bateman suprises of the tournament so far. Taylor & Barrett especially have All Black written all over them
6 Apr 2012, 23:35 pm
Canes lost:
Schwalger,Tialata,So’oialo,Waldrom,Weepu,Cruden,Nonu,Gear….Thats 8 all blacks
Last year…hammett looked like an idiot…
Wow how he has shown up EVERY ONE
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