The Reds are undefeated in their last three Super Rugby games against the Rebels (W2, D1) after having won only two of their seven meetings in the competition prior (L5).
The Rebels began both their 2020 Super Rugby and Super Rugby AU campaigns with a loss after having opened six of their seven campaigns prior with a win.
- The Reds have scored the opening try of the game in six of their last eight Super Rugby games against the Rebels, including their last three on the bounce; however, there has been only one try scored within the opening 10 minutes by either team in that span.
- Filipo Daugunu has crossed for five tries in his last five Super Rugby games, including a brace in the opening round of the 2021 Super Rugby AU season; he has scored one try in three of his last five Super Rugby games against the Rebels.
- Jordan Uelese had a lineout throw success rate of 89% (85/96) in the 2020 Super Rugby AU campaign, the highest of any player to attempt at least 25 throws.
Match detail
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In the meantime, why not have a look at the match preview.
1.00: PEEEEP! We are underway in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
3.00: PENALTY! Matt To’omua opens the scoring for the Victorians. 0-3
5.00: Hunter Paisami smokes To’omua with a huge hit; the crowd loves it.
6.00: Melbourne call for the kicking tee.
7.00: PENALTY! To’omua doubles the lead. 0-6
9.00: The Reds have the Rebels under pressure, camped on the visitors’ try-line.
11.00: A big pressure-relieving penalty for the Rebels, who boot the ball to halfway.
12.00: Angus Scott-Young gives away a penalty that will allow To’omua another shot at goal.
12.00: MISS! The standoff’s kick is wide. 0-6
15.00: A lot of reset scrums in the opening quarter of the game. Melbourne is holding its own against the much-vaunted Queensland pack.
18.00: Some big hits happening in Queensland. Both teams looking to spread the ball; however, the handling is not too good due to the humid conditions.
219.00: Queensland goes close, but a poor decision to go wide right costs the hosts a scoring opportunity as the ball flies into touch.
20.00: Cabous Eloff is pinged for a no-arms tackle. James O’Connor calls for the tee.
22.00: PENALTY! O’Connor, who was perfect from seven kicks last week, gets the Reds on the scoreboard. 3-6
23.00: Angus Blyth knocks-on the restart, gifting possession back to Melbourne, who cannot take advantage, but are awarded the attacking scrum outside the Reds’ 22.
24.00: Another penalty, this time it’s Taniela Tupou who was in front of the kicker. These lapses in concentration are killing the home team. To’omua calls for the tee.
25.00: PENALTY! To’omua slots the easy kick right through the sticks. 3-9
28.00: Rebels with a defensive lineout outside their 22, lose the ball after a poor throw. Tate McDermott goes quickly but Harry Wilson loses the ball in contact.
29.00: Reset scrum to the Rebels, who eventually clear their lines. The Reds have been a little off their game in the first half-hour.
33.00: Both teams kicking the ball away too quickly without looking to play through the phases. The game-plans seem to be to play in the other teams’ half and capitalise on mistakes — the age-old percentage game-plan.
34.00: Melbourne wins another penalty from a Queensland lineout after isolating Fraser McReight at the back of the lineout.
35.00: PENALTY! To’omua is on fire, landing his fourth goal. 3-12
36.00: Reds win a penalty straight after the restart; O’Connor calls for the tee – Queensland needs points before the break.
37.00: MISS! The captain pulls his attempt well wide. 3-12
39.00: Another chance for O’Connor to make it a two-score game before the interval.
40.00: PENALTY! O’Connor lands the kick, this time. 6-12
41.00: There is time for the restart, but after a mistake by the Rebels, the Reds clear to touch.
The halftime score was Queensland Reds 6 Melbourne Rebels 12
41.00: PEEEEP! We are back underway at a sweltering Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
44.00: Eloff is getting his head bandaged after some blood came from the head. O’Connor boots the resulting penalty to halfway.
45.00: Tate Mcdermott is caught offside, Joe Powell tries to go quickly, but he is called back by referee Jordan Way, who wants the penalty taken from the exact mark. Dull from the ref, there.
45.00: PENALTY! To’omua makes Queensland pay with his fifth goal of the evening. 6-15
48.00: TRY! Mafi powers over after a powerful driving maul. 11-15
49.00: CONVERSION! The kick is good. 13-15
52.00: Hodge will attempt a monster kick from his half.
53.00: PENALTY! HODGE WITH A HUGE KICK — that could have flown over from 60 metres! 13-18
55.00: The Reds go close from a rolling maul, but are stopped short.
56.00: Queensland are going through the phases, they look like scoring if they can keep their composure.
57.00: Oh, dear! The Reds knock-on near the try line after going seven phases on the goal-line. That is poor from the hosts.
57.00: RED CARD! Feao Fotuaika is sent off after a TMO review for a dangerous cleanout to the head of Richard Hardwick. Queensland will play 20 minutes with 14 men as per the new rules for 2021. 13-18
61.00: Tupou wins a big penalty for his team, allowing his skipper to take a shot at the goal.
62.00: PENALTY! Captain, my captain – game on! 16-18
64.00: MISS! Hodge misses a sitter – that could be costly in a tight contest. 16-18
67.00: The Rebels have not looked like scoring a try, but they’ve taken the points when on offer.
70.00: PENALTY! To’omua extends the lead back to five with 10 minutes remaining. 16-21
71.00: NO TRY! That is incredible. Powell saves his blushes after almost gifting a try to debutant Suliasi Vunivalu. A goal-line drop-out will give the ball back to the Reds. 16-21
75.00: Time is running out for Thorn’s charges, who look knackered. This will be a shock win if Sampson’s side can hold on to the lead.
77.00: TRY! Mafi does it again, the hero of the day. The hooker barges over from close range after a faked rolling maul to win the game for the hosts. 21-21
78.00: CONVERSION! NO PROBLEM FROM THE SKIPPER! 23-21
80.00: REFEREE! Hunter Paisami is nailed for a high shot, it gives To’omua a chance to win the game from about 42 metres out.
81.00: NO GOOD! MISS! To’omua pulls his kick past the left post. Oh, no! Reds hold on for a famous victory agaisnt the Victorians, extending their unbeaten run to four in a row.
FULL TIME!
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The final score is Reds 23 (6) Rebels 21 (12)
Scorers
Reds
Tries – Mafi (2)
Pen – O’Connor (4)
Con – O’Connor
Drop –
Cards – Fotuaika (Red, 57′)
Rebels
Tries –
Pen – To’omua (6), Hodge
Con –
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Ref 1: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 2: Aaron Pook
TMO: Brett Cronan
Teams
Reds
15 Jock Campbell, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 James O’Connor (captain), 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Seru Uru, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Dane Zander
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Sam Wallis, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Bryce Hegarty, 23 Suliasi Vunivalu
Rebels
15 Tom Pincus, 14 Lachlan Anderson, 13 Stacey Ili, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt To’omua (captain), 9 Joe Powell, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Brad Wilkin, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Pone Faamausili, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cabous Eloff
Replacements: 16 Ed Craig, 17 Isaac Aedo Kailea, 18 Rhys van Nek, 19 Rob Leota, 20 Josh Kemeny, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Glen Vaihu, 23 Frank Lomani
