Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING World Cup-winning halfback on Cam Roigard’s substitution in France loss World Cup-winning halfback on Cam Roigard’s substitution vs. France
Search