Rebels punish bumbling Blues

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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  • 51.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 12:48 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-48: I like the way you think!

  • 52.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 12:49 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-50:

    I’ve got the Blues to win by 13 or more.

    8)

  • 53.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 12:49 pm

    That was a Wulf pack tackle to save the try.

  • 54.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 12:50 pm

    @cane(cane)-52: Thats a big margin….can still be achieved. I have Rebels by 3.

  • 55.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 12:53 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-48: Let’s not venture into an opposite abyss. Roman like other rich “new Russians” may think his billions are enough to buy success and when it does not happen it’s manager’s fault.

    I would not wonder if he plants an apple tree and then chops it down, as it does not give him fresh juicy apples very next morning.

    OK, ManUtd were fortunate by not sacking Fergie when he was young manager without expected immediate golden touch, just Fergie is a once in generation wonder, so all chelseas, arsenals and liverpools just have to wait when he retires.

  • 56.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 12:57 pm

    @Nils(Nils)-55: I see he’s throwing big money to lure Pep away from Barca.

    The guy would be crazy to take the job without a guaranteed tenure. 3 years minimum.

  • 57.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 12:59 pm

    Go Rebels!!!

  • 58.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:00 pm

    Yes go rebels go rebels keep it up boys. 18 more minutes to go!

  • 59.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:02 pm

    22-16 to the Rebs after 65 min.

    Good Game to win from here. Come on Blues.

  • 60.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:02 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-56: Roman should try to lure whole Barca team. At least then Chelselona may win.

  • 61.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:04 pm

    Now 24-16 with conversion.

    Time to pull finger Blues.

  • 62.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:08 pm

    Thats it its done. Go Rebels Go Rebels did O connor score?

  • 63.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:09 pm

    Yes Superbru points and fantasy galore me! Yeah go me! cmon guys just 10 more minutes.

  • 64.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:09 pm

    @cane(cane)-61: On the bright note, Blues certainly won’t take better team place in the playoffs to embarass themselves.

    Now I wish Rebels rout them.

  • 65.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:10 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-62:

    yes. Little Jimmy did score.

  • 66.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:10 pm

    Another nail in the coffin!

  • 67.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:12 pm

    @Nils(Nils)-64:

    10 All Blacks in the Blues Nils.

    Pathetic.

  • 68.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:12 pm

    @cane(cane)-65: Coolio. The Blues are super waste! With all their All Blacks they should do much better.

  • 69.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:13 pm

    @cane(cane)-67: snap

  • 70.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:15 pm

    Superbru points!!!

  • 71.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:15 pm

    Time for Blues to fire Lam!!!

  • 72.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:16 pm

    NZ Breakers lead Croc’s by 11 with 4.30 min to go in Townsville.

    (don’t ask)

  • 73.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:16 pm

    @cane(cane)-67: “Former” I hope. ;)

    Time to replace dead wood with fresh faces. Lam has done great service.

    Hurricanes may be laughing their B-sides off, how pisspoor defectors are.

  • 74.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:16 pm

    @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-71: Lam to the slaughter.

  • 75.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:16 pm

    I should be getting so much points from O’Connor and Beale this weekend.

  • 76.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:17 pm

    Ag, kak, Blues will get a bonus point. They did not deserve even zero points today.

  • 77.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:18 pm

    @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-70: What was your margin? Mine was 3 so no extra points for me unless the Blues score now!

  • 78.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:19 pm

    Sasuke i also had 3…

  • 79.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:19 pm

    YEeeeeehaaaa I just knew the Rebels were going to do it today, they played well last week.

  • 80.chch: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:19 pm

    Wow, team of big name players. Pat Lam shines again

  • 81.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:20 pm

    Lol just what I asked for! I hope the Blues dont win it though! Seems like i wll be getting Margin points for this game!

  • 82.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:20 pm

    Well done Rebels.

    And big thank you from all NZ Rugby supporters,
    for showing us once and for all…………………………………….the Blues are worse the dog shiit.

    (I actually thought at the beginning of the season, that this might be their year, what a fool am I).)

  • 83.chch: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:20 pm

    Congrats to the Rebels

  • 84.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:20 pm

    Well done, Rebels, no bonus point gifted. :D

  • 85.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:21 pm

    @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-78: Cool we might be getting margin points after all.

    @Treehugger(Treehugger)-79: Yeah i remember seeing your name in the list that picked the rebels. Well Done.

  • 86.Nils: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:22 pm

    @cane(cane)-82: The problem lies in perspective. Turn the table upside down and Blues are doing just fine! :)

  • 87.chch: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:22 pm

    Merry had a little lamb and so did the Rebels

  • 88.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:22 pm

    @Nils(Nils)-84: Another try?!?! Damn there goes our margin points @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-78:

    @Treehugger(Treehugger)-79: How much did you have the rebels by?

  • 89.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:23 pm

    @ Stormersboy my cuz saw Eagles last night and said it was outstanding, my other cuz in Joburg is watching at Sun City (think it is) and then going again to the second concert at the Stadium, think she enjoys their music :mrgreen:

  • 90.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:24 pm

    @cane(cane)-82: Dont worry I thought the same. With the acquistion of Nonu and Weepu i thought they would be very competitive.

  • 91.chch: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:24 pm

    @cane(cane)-52:

    wow, it’s like a donation

  • 92.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:25 pm

    @Nils(Nils)-73:

    AB’s is a different environment, so we shall have to wait and see.

    But you are right………………………………………………………new broom should select on form.

  • 93.chch: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:26 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-90:

    Apparently they only signed Weepu to get KFC sponsorship

  • 94.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:26 pm

    wow….

    is

    all

    i

    can

    say…..

    silly blues.

    should’ve seen it coming.

  • 95.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:27 pm

    The Blues are like the Hurricanes of last year and guess what 2 hurricanes players are at the Blues….what does that tell you……hammett was right…..the problem lies with the players…..especially nonu and weepu.

  • 96.chch: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:27 pm

    @Nils(Nils)-73:
    Really, Lam has quite an ordinary record given the players he has worked with.

  • 97.Michael: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:28 pm

    I KNEW my predictions were in trouble the moment the two bumbling baffoons agreed with me and what do you know, THIS happens.

  • 98.cane: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:28 pm

    @chch(chch)-91:

    Are you still at home chch?

  • 99.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:28 pm

    @chch(chch)-93: Bwhahhahahaha

  • 100.gr8 white: Reply to this comment
    5 Apr 2012, 13:28 pm

    Hell – Blues deserve the wooden spoon this year…to think I rated this team as contenders at the beginning of the comp! Pat Lam deserves the boot…never rated him as a good coach but thought he had the players to do it!

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