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Brad Thorn's Reds fall as Rebels hang on Super Rugby thriller

Reds players react after conceding a try during the Super Rugby match between the Melbourne Rebels and the Queensland Reds in Melbourne on March 25, 2023. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

Melbourne have won a helter-skelter Super Rugby Pacific clash against Queensland with the lead changing hands six times at AAMI Park.

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The Rebels were in front when it counted, running in six tries to five to post a thrilling 40-34 victory in their Saturday night clash.

The Reds could feel robbed with the TMO Brett Cronan denying halfback Tate McDermott a try in 76th minute when he deemed that lock Ryan Smith had held back Rebel Josh Kemeny from chasing McDermott.

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If James O’Connor was able to convert that try it would have put Queensland in the lead.

Melbourne lock Angelo Smith put his team ahead in the 67th minute and despite McDermott’s late dash they were able to hang on and celebrate their second win of the season.

Queensland got off to a flying start, leading 14-0 after 16 minutes through tries to centre Josh Flook and winger Jordan Petaia.

But the Rebels got on a rampage and smashed through the remainder of the first half, scoring four tries to lead 26-14 at the break with young playmaker Carter Gordon in the thick of the action.

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With Reds coach Brad Thorn laying down the law about their poor discipline at halftime, it was the visitors’ turn to fire up.

They scored three tries within 13 minutes, with Flook’s second putting Queensland back in front 31-26.

But it wasn’t for long with Melbourne fullback Joe Pincus running on to a Monty Ioane pass to score.

An O’Connor penalty saw the Reds go up before Smith’s charge to the line.

Melbourne looked like they had scored twice in two minutes when reserve lock Daniel Maiava intercepted a pass with his first touch of the ball but the TMO denied the try for an earlier knock-on.

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Both teams had chances in a frantic final few minutes but couldn’t find their way to the tryline.

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AM 41 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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