Rebels triumph over Waratahs

In their third consecutive triumph over the New South Wales Waratahs at AAMI Park, Melbourne, the Rebels won a feisty contest 34-27, with five tries-to-three.

The hosts led 17-6 at half-time and reasserted control in the last quarter, scoring two more tries to push away for the much-savoured win. An 80th-minute try from Taleni Seu brought the scores closer and secured a bonus point while denying a bonus point for the Rebels.

The Waratahs were rarely in the contest, with the Rebels exhibiting far more aggression, ambition, and urgency. Despite staging a mini-rally in the second half, the Waratahs paid the price for poor discipline and sloppy handling. They let the Rebels enter their territory with ease and strike with clinical and willing attack.

The Rebels’ win was their fifth from the last seven outings over the Waratahs and their first win of the year in style. The lacklustre Waratahs paid the price for their poor discipline and sloppy handling, which let the Rebels enter their territory with ease and strike with clinical and willing attack.

After a number of late changes, the Waratahs started unsettled and stayed unsettled for most of the first half. The early exchanges were willing but scrappy, and it took eight minutes for the Waratahs to post their first points via a scrum penalty. NSW began to build momentum but didn’t take advantage of it, having got over the line twice but with both tries ultimately disallowed.

The Rebels turned the tables soon after, with Lachie Anderson scoring after an aimless NSW kick out of their half saw the ball land in Stacey Ili’s hands, and he offloaded for Anderson.

The Rebels looked to exploit the bulk of Nemani Nadolo and scored again soon after, with Reece Hodge grubbering in behind his wing. Anderson was the beneficiary this time, scoring after a spectacular re-gather and put down.

NSW had a good chance to claw back a try just before halftime, with two attacking lineouts, but Richard Hardwick made a huge steal on the line to deny the tiring Waratahs.

With only one win from three games and a trip to Wellington up next week, NSW’s hopes of a top-four finish are already looking dicey.

The Rebels, who were without stars Andrew Kellaway, Matt Philip, and Rob Leota, will take enormous confidence from a courageous and committed win that looked imminent after they almost downed the Hurricanes last week.