Rebels pip Aussie scrap
20 May 2012
GARETH DUNCAN watched Rebels flyhalf Kurtley Beale kick a late penalty to clinch a 32-31 win over the Force in Perth.
It looked like the Rebels were going to cruise to victory. They grabbed the four-try bonus point before the break and held a 26-15 half-time lead. However, the Force won the ascendancy in the third quarter and broke down the visitors’ advantage. With 14 men, they led 31-29 in the dying moments, but Beale saved the Rebels’ blushes with a 77th minute penalty to edge the result.
The Rebels displayed their best 40 minutes of their Super Rugby tenure during the opening stanza. They were clinical on attack and troubled the hosts’ defence with strong ball carries and impressive interplay – the victory over the Crusaders last weekend clearly boosted their confidence. They returned with four tries from five visits to the Force’s red zone, with Beale slotting three conversions and playing a key role at pivot.
Lock Cadeyrn Neville starred for the Rebels up front, grabbing a brace, while No 8 Gareth Delve and wing Cooper Vuna also rushed in at the corner.
However, the Melbourne side would’ve be disappointed with their ill-discipline and defensive lapses. This allowed the Force to score two tries against the run of play through wing Napolioni Nalaga and No 8 Ben McCalman. Fullback David Harvey also slotted a conversion and penalty.
The Force built strong momentum after the restart as the Rebels’ attack staggered. Replacement fullback Alfie Mafi crossed the chalk to start the comeback run, before scrumhalf Brett Sheheen (penalty) and flyhalf Ben Seymour (a conversion and two penalties) converted 11 points from the kicking tee to give the Force the lead at the death. This was despite the blow of losing flank Matt Hodgson to the sin bin for a breakdown foul in the 69th minute.
However, Beale did the job with the boot as he kicked the match-winning penalty to seal the Rebels’ first win on the road this season.
28 Comments
20 May 2012, 09:13 am
dungeons and dragons
20 May 2012, 09:20 am
Very good.
20 May 2012, 09:21 am
This stadium is blik!
20 May 2012, 10:07 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-3: what is your take on “the spear” by that brokeback artist from your neck of the woods. It’s a fascinating piece of work.
Is he trying to tell us that JZ has been using his tool to s.crew the people, literally and figuratively.
20 May 2012, 10:09 am
@RL(RL)-4:
Exactly that.
20 May 2012, 10:59 am
Both Force and Rebels have won more matches than the Cheeky Kings will win in five years…
20 May 2012, 12:09 pm
Oz landscape is changing, Rebels overtaking the Worrytahs on the log, who would have put money on that at the beginning of the season!
20 May 2012, 13:09 pm
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-7:
Yeah,Rebels showing flashes of brilliance,even tho’ they are nothing more than a bunch of mercenaries.Perhaps this is hoe the Kings will play it.
20 May 2012, 13:26 pm
@Superbru(Superbru)-8:
Yeah Bru, just not sure they will be able to attract the equivalent of a Beale and O’Connor to the Kings though…
20 May 2012, 13:32 pm
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-9: They will have to play it clever with funds available,and I expect to see a couple of big name signings,but you right,not in the same league as Beale or O’connor,even Higgenbotham
20 May 2012, 14:03 pm
late season comeback from Rebels
but then in general – who cares about Aussie conference??
20 May 2012, 21:49 pm
Beale has to be one of the best backs in world rugby right now
Wow has he turned the rebels around
I would have him at 10 and O conner at 12
21 May 2012, 02:31 am
Difference beween Rebels and Kings is Rebels will continue to attract best Aussies in their prime. Kings will buy up has-been Saffas from overseas clubs and rejects from local provinces.
21 May 2012, 08:11 am
Hahaha what bullshit
Kings will attract big name signings,with the funds available and astute management practices-the region is far more enticing lifestyle wise as well to those in the interior of SA.
Plus unlike Rebels,Force etc,the Eastern region is a hotbed of talent from the rich traditional rugby playing high schools in the region-one can just look around the Superrugby squads and you will be astounded how many players come from the region-Grey PE,Queens,Dale,Selborne etc
Include the fact that SA is deeper talent wise than OZ there are many players in current Superrugby squads who are on outskirts or not getting regular gametime due to bloated player squads/positions etc
Ex: Jean Deysel,Ryan Kankowski,Dewalt Potgieter,Nizaam Carr,Wandile Mjekevu,Sias Eberson,Craig Burden,Wilhelm Steenkamp,Tshotsho Mbovane,Caylib Oosthuiyzen,Jano Vermaak,Frik Kirsten,Siya Kolisi,Frans Malherbe,JP du Plessis,Johan Sadie,Bongi Mbonambi,Trevor Nyakane,Davon Raubenheimer,Meyer Bosman,Louis Ludik,Sibusiso Sithole,Lubabalo Mthembu,Gary van Aswegen,Francois Venter,Odwa Ndungane,Kyle Cooper,Craig Barry…
Just to name a few….
21 May 2012, 08:17 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-12: I can see this being the Aussie combo for the Rugby Championship.
21 May 2012, 08:44 am
@ Mshini how do you get Meyer Bosman’s name there?
21 May 2012, 08:51 am
14
Then why has that talent not being picked up by the current franchises. You guys have local comp to boot…currie cup yet that talent not going tothe cheetahs and lions. Something is missing or is not there at all.
With Oz we have league to contend with…in the past players were going to league due to more league teams at both elite level and then the lower league…toyota cup. There chances of getting a living of league is greater than union. Now we have five franchises in union we will alter that trend of youngsters leaving union when they leave school. We are seeing that trend change…cooper, beale, connor, faainga, pocock all played league and union at school. Union signed these guys really early.
21 May 2012, 08:51 am
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-16:
What you mean? He aint getting regular gametime at Sharks,he is a former international & he has been playing superrugby for a few yrs now-good additional to any expansion side.His playing time will only diminish even more with Frans Steyn seemingly coming back to Sharks.
21 May 2012, 08:53 am
11. Greatest
Then why are you commenting?
21 May 2012, 08:56 am
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-17:
Problem is straight out of school teams like the Bulls,Sharks sign a number of junior players-many in the same positions and stockpile their player resources with only so many places available. Plus without central contracting-Aus & NZ do that thus can actively move players around to balance out resources,loan players etc SA cant do that. Thats why those players often end up being bit part players. Plus the fact that provincialism is alive and well in SA sometimes above the interest of the national game.
21 May 2012, 09:09 am
20
Players are not moved around at all. They are signed by heir franchises and they stay there…there is no loan system at all. The ARU is introducing a salary cap for each franchise to prevent the hoarding by the rich franchises of quality players.
Currently we have the waratahs hogging the players yet are struggling because most of their players are not match fit.
Next year will change and we are seeing this already with higginbotham leaving reds to go the the rebels as the reds cannot find space for him in their salary cap. Reds had to offer a lower wage and hope he would stay for lifestyle reasons.
Perth are struggling at the moment as they dont have a coach as well not many players want to go there….its far away from everything. Does not have a lifestyle option as the other franchises. But the salary cap will force that.
Ewen is already combating this by always intoducing youngsters in his side….they are cheaper.
21 May 2012, 09:27 am
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-21:
Thought the OZ system was similiar to NZ system with loan system and being centrally contracted. NZ use this system very well and spread talent accordingly.
The use of salary cap would also be beneficial in South Africa thus forcing unions to be more astute and creative with their funds for their acquisitions otherwise if they transgress stipulation of cap they will face penalties(ex luxury tax,augmentation of their cap follow yr etc)
21 May 2012, 10:01 am
Mshini sorry read it again and you are right in some of the guys but someone like Deysel has been injured for most part so he will get more starts soon…
21 May 2012, 10:32 am
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-23:
Fair enough but say everyone is fully fit,especially in loosefwd department at Sharks-do you think Deysel is a sure starter with Marcel Coetzee,Alberts,Keegan Daniels as captain,Kankowski as well? Deysel isnt a starter at the Sharks,injury or no injury. And Sykes and Bresler starting locks and highly rated Pieter Steph du Toit as locks he also isnt a sure starter at lock.
21 May 2012, 10:43 am
Players on outskirts of teams/not starters when all fully fit squads
1.Caylib Oosthuizen
2.Craig Burden
3.Trevor Nyakane
4.Jean Deysel
5.Wilhelm Steenkamp
6.Dewalt Potgieter
7.Siya Kolisi
8.Ashley Johnson
9.Jano Vermaak
10.Sias Eberson
11.Sibusiso Sithole
12.Frans Venter
13.Lionel Mapoe
14.Wandile Mjekevu
15.Odwa Ndungane
21 May 2012, 10:45 am
Thats not counting some experienced heads overseas who may wants to have another shot at Superrugby
21 May 2012, 10:53 am
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-22:
no wurries i had not heard of a player being sent to another franchise on loan. Deans has asked for a player to be released to play club level but not to play at another super team.
21 May 2012, 14:26 pm
@mshiniwami(mshiniwami)-22:
good system these kiwis have.
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