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How Rebels plan to bounce back from 'frustrating' Reds loss to secure Super Rugby AU finals berth

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Melbourne playmaker Andrew Deegan says he hasn’t done the maths on the Super Rugby AU finals machinations but does know he wants to play four more games this season.

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The Rebels can deal the Waratahs a deathly blow on Saturday night at Leichhardt Oval, with a win securing a top-three spot and knocking NSW out of the finals race.

However if the Waratahs earn maximum points and deny the Rebels a bonus point, they will lock in a spot ahead of the final round.

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“To be honest, I didn’t know that,” five-eighth Deegan said.

“I haven’t seen the table and worked out the maths of all of it.

“Our big focus has been fixing up our issues in the Reds game.”

Deegan said the Queensland match was one of the most frustrating he’d played in, with his team kept try-less for a 19-3 result.

The Rebels peppered the Reds’ line for almost 30 minutes to begin the second half for no reward, bending the line but never breaking it as Queensland made 108 tackles to four.

“We missed a few opportunities when they were presented to us and we’ve spoken about that,” the 25-year-old said.

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“We didn’t do the foundation things in our game too well and the Reds defended really well but we if we’re honest we should have come away a few more points from the amount of possession and territory we had so we’re looking to make amends with this week.”

The Rebels have beaten the Waratahs twice this year and are unbeaten at the Wests Tigers’ NRL ground, which has become their home during their season on the road.

Deegan joined Melbourne from the Western Force and also spent two years playing with Connacht in Ireland.

He said he wasn’t sure of his playing future.

“It’s all up in the air – I’m just focusing on each week – and I’m really just looking forward to hopefully playing the next four games.”

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R
RedWarrior 33 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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