The Melbourne Rebels have fallen to top of the table Hurricanes in Palmerston North for Round 5 of Super Rugby Pacific.
Firing from the start the Hurricanes controlled most of the possession in the first half, with the Rebels forced to defend their line for most of the first half against a harsh attack from the Wellington team.
A try to Angelo Smith looked to turn the momentum, after scoring directly under the posts leading into the break.
The Rebels came out from half time reignited, proving to be handful for the opposition. The injection of Mason Gordon, brother of Carter Gordon, shifted the tempo, as he combined well with his brother from fullback for his first game as a Rebel.
Scoring two tries with ball in hand, Lukas Ripley finishing one, running a hard line after a strong carry from Vaiolini Ekuasi. The other to Mason Gordon, who pinned the ears back to score after receiving a long ball from his brother.
However, it was the Hurricanes game, as the Rebels second half surge wasn’t enough to overcome the opposition, with Jordie Barrett's second sealing maximum points and the win.
Rebels coach Kevin Foote although disappointed, was proud of the team for staying in the fight.
‘We're showing a lot of character to come back," Foote told Stan Sport.
"It was 21-21 in the second half but it's the start of the game that we've got to get right.”
The Melbourne Rebels will play their first double header of 2024 together, with both Men’s and Women’s teams taking to the field against the NSW Waratahs on Friday, March 29, for a Good Friday Clash at Allianz Stadium.
TRIES: Ripley, Smith, M. Gordon, Uelese
CONS: C.Gordon 4
TRIES: Barrett 2, Rayasi 2, Shields, Perenara, Godfrey, Kirif
CONS: Morgan 7
