A brace of tries from winger Jack Maddocks helped the Melbourne Rebels to a 13-32 bonus point Super rugby victory over Queensland’s Reds at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The Rebels out scored the Reds by four tries to one in the match so they take five points from the result and they move back to the top of the Australian Conference.
The match was a tiumphant return to Brisbane for former Reds duo Quade Cooper and Will Genia who were the stars of Queenslansd’s 2011 title triumph.
The result is the Rebels fourth victory of the 2019 Super rugby season and has moved them provisionally to second place in the overall standings.
The match was a tiumphant return to Brisbane for former Reds duo Quade Cooper and Will Genia who were the stars of Queenslansd’s 2011 title triumph.
The result is the Rebels fourth victory of the 2019 Super rugby season and has moved them provisionally to second place in the overall standings.
Cooper played the final part in winger Jack Maddock’s second try and he kicked 12 points against his former team who he played 118 games for.
Hooker Anaru Rangi and replacement flank Rob Leota scored the Reds other tries in the win which will be a boost for the Melbourne side’s confidence after a disappointing tour of South Africa.
The Rebels will also be pleased with their defensive effort as they kkept the Reds tryless until the 74th minute when the Tongan Thor Taniela Tupou was driven over the line following multiple attacking phases on the goal-line.
The Reds had won their previous two matches but were brought back down to earth by the Rebels who dominated possession and territory in the first half which ended with the Rebels leading 6-11.
Maddocks scored the only try of the opening half when he beat Reds fullback Hamish Stewart in the air to the ball from a Cooper cross-kick and was able to drop and score for the visitors.
Rangi peeled off a driving maul near the corner in the 44th minute and Cooper converted.
Seven minutes into the second half Cooper set Maddock up again by chippingt the ball forward twice to allow the winger to sprint for the ball and score.
Tupou’s try for the Reds in the 74th minute meant the Rebels would have score a fourth try to secure the bonus point and it took them four minutes to do so.
The Rebels worked the ball into the Reds 5m line and ground down the host defences through 14 phases when they cracked as a trio of forwards drove Leota over the line for the bonus point.
Cooper held his hand to his ear to hear the Queensland crowd before taking the kick which he converted to end the match.
Next week in the eighth round the Reds host the Stormers in Brisbane on Friday while the Rebels host the Sunwolves in Melbourne on Saturday.
Final Score Reds 13 (6) Rebels 32 (11)
Scorers
Reds
Tries -T.Tupou
Pen – B.Hegarty 2, T.McDermott
Con -B.Hegarty
Drop –
Cards –
Rebels
Tries -J. Maddocks 2, A.Rangi, R.Leota
Pen – Q.Cooper 2
Con – Q.Cooper 3
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Ref 1:Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 2:Marius van der Westhuizen
TMO :James Leckie
Teams
Reds
1. JP Smith ,2. Alex Mafi ,3. Ruan Smith ,4. Izack Rodda,5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto ,6. Angus Scott-Young ,7. Liam Wright ,8. Scott Higginbotham ,9. Tate McDermott ,10. Bryce Hegarty,11. Sefa Naivalu ,12. Samu Kerevi (c),13. Chris Feauai-Sautia ,14. Filipo Daugunu ,15. Hamish Stewart ,
Replacements : 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa,17. Harry Hoopert ,18. Taniela Tupou,19. Harry Hockings ,20. Fraser McReight ,21. Moses Sorovi,22. Duncan Paia’aua ,23. Isaac Lucas
Rebels
1. Tetera Faulkner,2. Anaru Rangi,3. Sam Talakai (Vice Captain),4. Matt Philip,5. Adam Coleman,6. Luke Jones,7. Angus Cottrell (Captain),8. Isi Naisarani,9. Will Genia,10. Quade Cooper,11. Marika Koroibete,12. Billy Meakes,13. Tom English,14. Jack Maddocks,15. Reece Hodge
Replacements : 16. Robbie Abel,17. Matt Gibbon,18. Jermaine Ainsley,19. Esei Ha’angana,20. Rob Leota,21. Michael Ruru,22. Campbell Magnay,23. Sione Tuipulotu