Luke Burgess clears from the ruck to set up a Rebels attack in last night’s 6pt loss to the Crusaders

Melbourne Rebels Media Release –

The Rebels have gone down to Super Rugby’s most successful side the Crusaders 25-19, in a tight match at AAMI Park.

With the Crusaders side amassing a total of 294 All Black caps, the Rebels knew they were in for a challenge from the get go. A scrappy game saw to a tight score line, with the Rebels gaining the bonus point for losing by less than seven points at full time.

The match was dictated by mistakes early, with the Crusaders giving away a penalty within the first two minutes, allowing Jason Woodward to put the first points on the board for the home side. However the lead didn’t last long, with the Rebels giving away a series of penalties in defence that saw Tom Taylor equalise at the six minute mark.

It took only moments for Woodward to kick his second penalty of the night, as the Rebels pushed into attack, the visitors were caught out for diving on the ball. It appeared as Woodward and Taylor were taking turns, with the Crusaders again successfully kicking a penalty. Woodward then had another look at the goals but the ball drifted right, leaving the score 6-6 after thirteen minutes.

It was the Crusaders turn to attack, earning themselves a series of penalties as they pushed towards their line. After looking to threaten the Rebels defence with the penalty tally growing, the visitors took the kick for a 6-9 lead. The Crusaders began to attack with ease and the Rebels continued to make mistakes in defence, which allowed Taylor to earn his fourth penalty of the night.

The Rebels looked a chance to score their first try of the night when Scott Fuglistaller charged down a Crusaders restart pushing them into their own in goal, however the set piece opportunity went begging as the visitors’ defence looked strong.

With the penalty count well in the Crusaders’ favour, the Rebels earned one back late in the half from the scrum. The home side pushed towards the line, earning another penalty just before the buzzer for Woodward to close the gap to three at half time.

The second half looked to imitate the first, with the Crusaders taking advantage of Tom Taylor’s accurate kicking, the visitor’s extending their lead to six on the 42 minute mark. Injuries began to plague the home side, with Laurie Weeks already subbed off with a suspected concussion; play was paused as fullback Woodward came off gingerly.

Laurie Weeks was getting some pay at scrum time before concussion forced an early departure

The Rebels closed the gap back to three with Bryce Hegarty taking his first shot on goal from an offside penalty at 50 minutes.

The Rebels had the perfect opportunity to shift back into attack, intercepting the ball five metres from their own line, however a kick from Angus Roberts failing touch and the Crusaders immediately ran back into Rebels territory. The Crusaders countered and spread the ball quickly, allowing Hooker Ben Funnell to sail over the line. Taylor continued to kick truly and the lead was out to ten points, 22-12.

Possession continued to swing back and forth throughout the second half, with 50% a piece on the 65 minute mark, both teams suffering from missed opportunities and the penalty tally growing.

With ten minutes left in the match, the Rebels gave the Crusaders the opportunity to extend the lead by diving onto the ball when in possession. Taylor’s kick was again on point, with the score line out to 12-25.

The Rebels had one last chance to salvaging a miraculous victory in the closing minutes, with a beautiful line break from Hegarty bringing the Rebels within metres of the line. A penalty against the Crusaders lead to a Rebels line out, with a strong maul sending Fuglistaller over for the tryline.

With the final siren looming, Hegarty kicked the Rebels within six points of the Crusaders, giving the Rebels the bonus point and one last opportunity to win.

However a knock on put paid to any last minute heroics, and the Crusaders walked away with the win.

The Rebels now travel to Sydney next week where they will face conference leaders, the Waratahs for the Weary Dunlop Shield.

Crusaders 25 (Ben Funnell try; Tom Taylor con, 6 pens) defeated Rebels 19 (Scott Fuglistaller try; Bryce Hegarty con, pen, Jason Woodward 3 pens) Official Attendance: 13,942