A tough night at AAMI Park saw the Melbourne Rebels go down to the Queensland in a try scoring thriller.
After back-to-back wins against the Force and Moana Pasifika, the Melbourne Rebels went into Round 4 with a winning momentum to take on the travelling Reds.
Starving the Rebels of possession in the first half, the Reds looked to their rolling maul and short carries to set up their early first half tries.
Andrew Kellaway returned fire from a Lachie Anderson offload, finishing his sweeping run to bring the scores to within 12 points, with Carter Gordon converting the try.
The Reds answered back with another two tries to finish the half ahead.
The home side started the second half in better shape, responding well to directives from their leaders. First on the scoreboard in the second half Glen Vaihu was on the end of a strong build-up play, taking the ball to the Reds with the defenders on the back foot.
Followed by a storming run from replacement front row Isaac Kailea, with the Victorian shrugging off four Reds defenders to bring the game within 14 points with his first try of the season.
It was a determined effort from the Rebels, with a strong fightback not enough to make back the difference from the first half.
Local Dewar Shield player Maciu Nabolakasi and hooker Ethan Dobbins made their debuts as finishers in the later part of the half. Bringing an impact and earning their stripes in a contest that will provide invaluable experience for the remainder of the season.
Captain Rob Leota said they will review well, look to reset and focus on next week’s match-up against the Hurricanes.
"We have to acknowledge that as well, that we were not good enough. Review this game hard, then push it to the side and the Hurricanes become our focus,” Leota said when asked what the next steps were.
The Rebels take on the Hurricanes next week at Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North, on Friday March 22 at 5:05 PM AEDT for Round 5 of Super Rugby Pacific.
Tries: Kellaway, Vaihu, Kailea, Tualima
Cons: Gordon 3/4
Tries: Uru 2, Faessler, Wright, Ravai, Flook 2, Nasser
Cons: McLaughlin-Phillips 4/5, Lynagh 1/2
Pens: Lynagh 1/1
