Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

Crisis hit Melbourne Rebels romp home against Fijian Drua

Glen Vaihu of the Rebels dives in to score a try as Ilaisa Droasese of the Drua attempts to tackle during the round seven Super Rugby Pacific match between Melbourne Rebels and Fijian Drua at AAMI Park, on April 05, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

Melbourne have roared home in the second half to secure a rousing 41-20 victory over Fijian Drua to keep their first Super Rugby Pacific finals berth in sight.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Rebels trailed 20-15 at halftime at AAMI Park on Friday night, but with star five-eighth Carter Gordon calling the shots they scored two tries in the space of four minutes to swing the momentum their way.

The six-try bonus-point victory sent the Rebels up the ladder into rare air in fourth spot.

Looking to peg back the five-point halftime deficit, winger Glen Vaihu collected a long cut-out pass from Gordon to cross before flanker Maciu Nabolakasi came up trumps after a rolling maul.

Video Spacer

Bulls Director of Rugby tries to ‘put into perspective’ the current status of his team

Video Spacer

Bulls Director of Rugby tries to ‘put into perspective’ the current status of his team

Vaihu added his second after 53 minutes to push the lead out to 34-20.

When the Drua lost former Rebels halfback Frank Lomani for a deliberate foul when he elbowed the head of lock Josh Canham soon after, the visitors’ fate appeared sealed.

Melbourne went hunting a bonus point and with Gordon putting on some big hits in defence and a huge shift by star prop Taniela Tupou off the bench, the Rebels extended their lead.

Match Summary

1
Penalty Goals
1
6
Tries
3
4
Conversions
1
0
Drop Goals
0
111
Carries
112
9
Line Breaks
3
20
Turnovers Lost
16
7
Turnovers Won
3

Gordon fired a pass out to Filipo Daugunu, who had moved out from the centres to the wing, and he slipped – which wrong-footed the defence – before scooting down the sideline to touch down.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Fijians, who had won their last two matches, grew frustrated and Jone Koroiduadua joined Lomani on the bench when he was red-carded after attempting to head-butt Rebels hooker Alex Mafi.

Melbourne face the Highlanders next Saturday night at AAMI Park, looking for their third win on the trot.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
J
Jacinda 213 days ago

Absolute disgraceful behaviour from Fiji. They are dirty players and when they are losing, they turn to aggression. Learn to handle pressure and be smarter with your game plan.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ 'There will be no honeymoon period for Borthwick's wedding usher El-Abd' 'There will be no honeymoon period for Borthwick's wedding usher El-Abd'
Search