Rebels Give Up Game On Penalties

Shota Horie who has been finding his feet in the big time has a firm grip on the ball.

By Mark Humphrey

The Rabo Direct Melbourne Rebels hosted the Sharks tonight on a cold winter’s like night in front of an enthusiastic Rebels hometown crowd. The Rebels were coming off a bye after reversing the tables on the Western Force winning 22-16 while the Sharks were still smarting somewhat after going down to the Highlanders 18-34 at home.

Rebel’s fullback Jason Woodward has had an outstanding season thus far and was crucial in the Rebels attacking set-up. Along with inspirational Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham the Rebels attacking pack looked to be in fine touch coming into the match. With Burgess, Inman, English and Hegarty all capable link men the Rebels season would be back on track with a win tonight.

Rabo Direct Rebels Man O Match jason Woodward fires off another conversion

For the Sharks number eight Ryan Kankowski along with flyhalf Francois Steyn were no doubt keen to set up the Sharks early as they started off the game well. Steyn in particular was devastating with his kicking game going at 100% for the night. The Sharks looked powerful and tried to control the game early through aggressive running by fullback Lwazi Mvovo and left winger JP Pietersen.

2 of the Shark's heavy hittersTendai Mtawarira (#1)and Will Alberts

Rebels loosehead prop Cruze Ah-Nau was making his Super Rugby debut tonight and was in the action from the outset. Within the first 2 minutes the Sharks had the ball down the left hand side. Mvovo with a series of kicks ran the ball into the try zone only to be denied by a desperate Rebels defence. A video call deemed the ball was knocked out by the Rebels giving the Sharks the ball metres out.  The Rebels defence held out 6 phases to eventually clear the ball out of the danger zone.

With 14 gone in the match Rebels flanker Scott Fuglistaller looked to break free 22 out from the try line but fumbled the ball. 3 minutes later Woodward got on the end of a Sharks kick deep inside his defensive territory and ran the ball to with 30. A Rebels penalty moments later gave Woodward an opportunity from 35 out. Woodward made no mistake with the penalty kick getting first blood for the Rabo Direct Rebels. 3-0 Rebels with 20 gone.Flying high.

Sharks were awarded a penalty on the resumption of play for obstruction with flyhalf Francois Steyn converting from the halfway line. Scores tied up with 21 gone. 2 minutes later the Rebels gave up territory with another obstruction. The Sharks were on the attack 25 out and surged forward but Paul Jordaan just failed to grasp the ball and knocked on. Rebels had the scrum but knocked on and followed up with another penalty. Steyn 35 out nailed the kick to put the Sharks up 6-3 with 26 gone in the match.

2 minutes later the Rebels were awarded a penalty with Woodward from out to the right putting the kick through the uprights to tie up the game 6-6.

With 30 gone in the match the Sharks were awarded a penalty at the half way mark. Steyn kicked away and was lucky to convert after the ball dropped in via the left hand post. Sharks took a 9-6 lead.

32 gone and the Rebels had the ball metres from their try line and had worked the ball across the front of the sticks with a series of plays. The Sharks were able to repel the ball with Mvovo once again finding open territory down the line. A forceful Woodward mauled his opposing fullback over the sideline all to no avail as the ball was called back for a Sharks penalty. Steyn easily converted from the 22 to put the Sharks up 12-6. Minutes later the Sharks were awarded another penalty for hands in the ruck. Steyn from out to the right kept the average up with a superb kick to extend the Sharks lead to 15-6 with 37 gone in the first half.

The Sharks went into the break with a 15-6 lead courtesy of the Steyn boot. 5 from 5 for Steyn with Rebels golden boot Jason Woodward pulling 2 from 2. The Sharks throughout the half worked hard to make up ground and looked to run over the line several times only to be denied by some courageous Rebel’s defensive work. The Rebels on the other hand were not getting pushed around in the packs and actually matched it with the much bigger bodies of the Sharks.

2^nd half action had the Sharks looking to run in their first try deep on the left side only to be denied by Rebels right winger Male Sa’u. Sa’u saved a certain try with a desperate tackle that forced the play over the sidelines metres out from the Sharks try line.

For the next 6 minutes the Rebels controlled the game forcing the Sharks to turn over the ball on several occasions and out muscled their opponents when the ball was in tight. With 54 gone in the match Woodward slotted a penalty kick from close to halfway to reduce the Shark’s lead by 3. Sharks led 15-9 with 56 gone in the match. The pressure by both sides was intense with turnovers the order of the day. The Rebels worked the ball to be 35 out but gave it up. The Sharks followed with a turnover themselves which was matched by the Rebels. The Rebels forced the turnover once again and looked to be heading for clear territory until a Fuglistaller fumble was pounced on by the Sharks defence. Immediately the Sharks went left finding the overlap. Mvovo ran hard drawing the Rebel defence before passing off to left winger Pietersen who ran in for the Sharks 1^st try. Steyn made no mistake with the conversion putting the Sharks in control of the match 22-9 with 65 minutes gone in the match.

Rebels were on the attack immediately and used a set of 8 plays to be metres out from their try line. A penalty by the Sharks for not rolling away gave the Rebels a further opportunity to hit the try line. A slick pass by Hegarty on the re-start out left to Pat Leafa gave him just enough open space to hustle the ball into the try zone for the Rebel’s 1^st try. Woodward converted from hard left to have the Rebels trailing by just 6. Sharks led it 22-16 with 71 gone in the game.

Both sides turned over the ball during the last 9 minutes of the game with the Rebels gaining possession on the full time siren. The Rebels were deep in their defensive territory but marched on aggressively and looked a chance to tie up the game. McMahon combined with Woodward to grab a quick 25 metres with the Rebels pushing on to be only 15 out and looking solid. The Sharks kept up the pressure in tight and forced the penalty to close out the game and take the hard fought win 22-16.

Although the Sharks were superb with their pressure the Rebels would feel let down to some extent as all of the Sharks scoring plays were courtesy of Rebel mistakes. Steyn was unbelievable with his field kicking and faultless with his conversion kicking going at 100%. Rebels fullback Jason Woodward was equally impressive having also converted at 100% and was subsequently adjudged best on ground for the home team.

It’s fair to say the best team won on the night but you have to wonder what could have been.