The Melbourne Rebels have won against a tough Fijian Drua team in Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific.
The opening half at AAMI Park had the Rebels on the back foot. With early tries to the Drua, the Rebels persevered in defence and countered through their pack and attacking backline.
A strong carry from Angelo Smith, after hard work from the forwards resulted in the Rebel’s first try.
Just before the break another came from hooker Jordan Uelese, with some footwork in tight, making the most of the 14-man Drua defence he dotted the ball over the line.
After being led by 5 points into the half-time break, the Rebels took charge of the game through Carter Gordon’s playmaking, and steered the team into a winning position, with multiple tries coming from the fly half’s quick thinking and silky skills.
A cut-out pass to finisher Glen Vaihu, saw him collect his first of the night, beating his inside defender on the overlap.
Following this, local Victorian Maciu Nabolakasi extended the lead off the back of a well-set Rebels maul, with the engine room firing on all cylinders to get their team-mate over the line.
After a charging Taniela Tupou run through the midfield gave the Rebels go-forward ball, Gordon quickly found his backs with a tap pass from the ruck to put Vaihu in the corner.
Icing the game for the Rebels once again, the elusive Daugunu showed his pace and physicality after slipping out wide, regaining his feet, shooting down the sideline and fighting off defenders to make the line and put the game beyond doubt.
Reflecting on the hard-fought victory, Rebels prop Sam Talakai had full belief in his team to make the most of the opportunities. "When we went into the sheds, we kind of knew we'd got the upper hand. Five minutes after that we got two tries and got confidence - then we finished it off " he said, when speaking with Stan Sport post game.
The Melbourne Rebels face the Highlanders next Saturday night at AAMI Park for Round 8 of Super Rugby Pacific.
Tries: Lomani, Vota, Rotuisolia
Cons: Armstrong-Ravula 1/3
Pens: Armstrong-Ravula 1/2
Tries: Smith, Uelese, Vaihu 2, Nabolakasi, Daugunu
Cons: C. Gordon 4/6
Pens: C. Gordon 1/1
