A momentous night in Melbourne; that 14th minute, the support from the stands and connecting with our fans on the field went a long way to making the last home game of the 2024 season a special one.
Pushing for a win all the way until the 80th minute, the Rebels showed their determination and fight from the offset in Round 13, against a resilient Chiefs outfit.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs managed the game well under pressure, with their late penalty giving them the 26-23 win over the home side on a cold night at AAMI Park.
After an early Chiefs penalty, winger Glen Vaihu opened the Rebels’ account, with work to do the physical winger beat two defenders to score in the corner.
Then the 14th minute came; a moment of reflection and appreciation from the Rebels fans, a gesture for their much loved players and the Stockade, to celebrate the 14 seasons the Rebels have played in the Super Rugby Competition since 2011. The AAMI Park faithful stood, clapped and cheered full of pride, in a moment that resonated with players and coaches.
The arm wrestle continued, with both teams going penalty for penalty during the first half, with the visitors pinching the lead with Damian McKenzie slotting a 41st minute penalty goal to make the score 13-11 at the break.
Flying out of the gates, the Chiefs scored again early, extending their hold on the game with a try to hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho.
Lachie Anderson countered not long after, with the forwards carrying for multiple phases setting up the platform for the winger to finish in the corner unmarked.
Anderson crossed for a second to help square up the game in the 73rd minute, but the true highlight was the grit shown between tries by the Rebels.
Applying pressure at each contest, forcing errors out of the Chiefs and challenging for every inch of space on their home turf.
Despite their best defensive effort, a late penalty to the Chiefs sealed the game, but the Rebels took away a bonus point for their effort, and even more so a much needed shift in momentum for their upcoming away fixtures.
Tries: Vaihu, Anderson 2
Cons: Jooste 1/3
Pens: Jooste 2/2
Tries: Vaa'i, Taukei'aho
Cons: McKenzie 3/3
Pens: McKenzie 3/3
