Rebels brace: Nick Phipps
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The Rebels pulled off the upset of the Super Rugby season after beating the Crusaders 28-19 in Melbourne on Saturday.
With just two wins to their name before this match, the odds were certainly stacked against the hosts to knock over the seven-time champions.
However, the Rebels threw the form book out the window and produced a clinical performance to shock the men in red and black for a memorable - yet highly unexpected - win.
Rebels halfback Nick Phipps was the home side's hero after crossing twice, while veteran centre Stirling Mortlock also touched down for a crucial try that sealed the come-from-behind win for his team.
The Crusaders led 19-10 at half-time thanks to the boot of Tom Taylor and a Sam Whitelock try, but uncharacteristically failed to add any more points after the break.
The result had no immediate effect on where both teams are placed in the Super Rugby standings but as the Crusaders even failed to take a losing bonus point from the match, the New Zealand conference has tightened.
The hosts started brightly with Phipps snatching the ball out of a ruck near the posts and breaching the Crusaders defence with a low dive over the line in the 12th minute.
Taylor got the Crusaders on the board with two penalty goals, before the visitors hit the front through Whitelock's simple try after a burst down the left touchline by Tom Marshall. The Crusaders full-back was hauled down a few metres short, but Whitelock was on hand to scoop up the ball for a clear run-in.
Taylor kicked the conversion and then slotted his third and fourth penalties to give the visitors a 19-10 half-time lead.
But it was all the Rebels in the second half and while they weren't able to breach the opposition defence in the third quarter, two penalties from fly-half Kurtley Beale, who delivered his second successive starring performance, cut the deficit to three.
Then two tries in three minutes from the Rebels sealed the sensational win.
First Mark Gerrard charged through a pack of players and passed the ball inside to the supporting Phipps, who dived over under the sticks to put the Rebels in front with 14 minutes left.
Mortlock's try came after the replacement center, in only his second match of the season, intercepted a pass and charged to the line. Realizing he would be caught short, he offloaded to winger Cooper Vuna, who spun in the tackle before again finding an open Mortlock.
It was Mortlock's 56th Super Rugby try and arguably his most important.
The Crusaders attempted to launch a late comeback, but the Rebels defence was up to the task and kept the red and black machine at bay.
And, in an ironic twist, it was Richie McCaw who knocked on after the final hooter to emphasise the Crusaders poor form on the night.
The scorers:
For Rebels:
Tries: Phipps 2, Mortlock
Cons: Beale 2
Pens: Beale 3
For Crusaders:
Try: S Whitelock
Con: Taylor
Pens: Taylor 4
Rebels: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Tim Davidson, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Jono Owen, 18 Al Campbell, 19 Ryan Hodson, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 James Hilgendorf, 22 Stirling Mortlock.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Israel Dagg.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Comments
TominHongKong says...
For Trader 2 ."How does this relate to new 4 nations ?"
1. Never underestimate your opponents 2. Never be too cocky 3. Have attitude [the right sort] 4. Get an ex-Rugby League defence coach [ The Warriors could help]
Yes, enjoyed my drinks in the " Queen Victoria " Wan Chai post game . Cheers !
Posted 02:37 13th May 2012
KiwiLad says...
The Bulls were lucky to escape unbeaten the week before, So I suppose this should not come as a shock.
McCaw looks like he spent the summer in a pie shop, and interesting enough I do nor recall him dominating the breakdown at any stage.
Israel Dagg is nowhere near his best, his kicking only mildly better than Guilfords, who should never kick again.
Was interesting to see the Saders lift (albeit breifly) when Reid came on.
He has Captained the side all year, is the form foward in the Competion.
The Chiefs probably hold NZs title aspirations now, as that is two weeks in a row the Saders looked well below par, but that is to take nothing away from the Rebels who have come an enormous long way since the departure of Danny Cipriani.
Posted 01:26 13th May 2012
isthatrightref says...
Wow, didn't see that coming... thought I was having my leg pulled big-time when one of the thousand-odd Chiefs fans in wifey's family told me the score.. then hoped it was part of a cunning plan to ensure we finish 6th & avoid the horror-show 5th spot... but maybe we just didn't take the opposition seriously enough? No excuse for that after what they almost did against the Bulls last week, Toddy!
Anyway, congrats to Rebels & their long-suffering fans.
Posted 22:37 12th May 2012
NHsaints says...
People, people...it's not that cipriani has left...it's that Kurtley Beale has come in. We've seen the magic he can weave with scraps...now he gets alot of ball at 10 and suddenly he's a one man tempest...incredible...the best back in the world right now.
Posted 22:31 12th May 2012
brands says...
@ FISH
go back to watching soccer you donut, this is why we watch Rugby, nothing is certain (accept England loosing), Crusaders lost fair and square, they are still one of the most lickable teams in the comp, your remarks really show what a plank you really are!
Posted 22:05 12th May 2012
philipjfry says...
@sandal: 'Me, if my Hurricanes can't win the Super XV then I hope another New Zealand team can. I am sure most rugby fans think along just those lines about their province/state/club and their country.'
I don't know bru, the thought of supporting the Bulls makes me feel ill. But I get your point.
Posted 20:19 12th May 2012
hybrid187 says...
Saders not on their game lately.. its ok... a Kiwi team thats not really been on their game lately will still make the finals. Well played though Rebels, they full deserved that. Why the hell rest 5 All Blacks ? I know its the ****est team in the ****est conference but come on... in Super Rugby you have to play the best team possible at all times.
Posted 20:01 12th May 2012
JayStarr says...
Now I've seen everything...
!?
This just proves yet again that, above all its other attributes, Super Rugby is bloody unpredictable!
Well done Rebels - this was a case study in what a massive difference ATTITUDE makes.
If only the Rebels can start playing this well when they're not at home, they might actually get up from the bottom half of the table one day.
Kurtley Beale is not only one of the ugliest rugby players in the world, he's also certainly one of the most talented! That no-look chip kick of his was pure gold - pity it didn't pay off! He has set that team alight... In future I believe he should be at 10 with O'Connor at 12 - they would have defenses tangled in knots...
Tough luck Crusaders - perhaps you were a bit guilty of underestimating your opponents?
Posted 18:08 12th May 2012
BillyMutt2 says...
Don't get too carried away there @FISH. You might want to wait for the end of the tournament before declaring that the Crusaders 'suck'.
Not sure which team you support but I'd like to hear your view on how they don't 'suck'. Where are they on the log?
And you now hold the record for the longest word on the forum. Nice.
Posted 17:50 12th May 2012
sandal says...
@Trader2
You say ""Great work Rebels just want my Highlanders wanted""
You remind me of English football fans. They hate to see a rival English club succeed in Europe. They're so mean-spirited, their team comes first,.
Me, if my Hurricanes can't win the Super XV then I hope another New Zealand team can. I am sure most rugby fans think along just those lines about their province/state/club and their country.
Trader2, let me assure you, it is not a nice thing to be compared to that kind of English football fan. Take a look at yourself.
Posted 15:59 12th May 2012
Wallaroo says...
This is one occasion that I'm glad I was wrong. Well done Rebels what a game.
Brilliant defense and exciting attack. Mortlock that intercept was a "you beaut" moment.
@Trinats mate the truth has come out on the Crusaders, vengeance for the lie that was last week.
Peyper must have had some counseling on the error of his ways during the break because he came back a lot less determined to penalise Blake.
Posted 15:50 12th May 2012
fozza says...
Poor Richie... He is that highly thought of that PR felt the need to point out it was he who knocked the ball on!!! Come on!!
Posted 14:13 12th May 2012
carpelone says...
This costed me few buck, but made my day too.
Stormers all the way.
Posted 14:09 12th May 2012
startledwombat says...
Well done the Rebels! A shoo-in for PR's "What's Hot" column this coming week.
I nominate Kurtley Beale for his own spot in that column, for an Oscar-winning interlude worthy of a soccer player. I'm off to look for it on YouTube. In fact Read probably had more interference on him at the top of his jump in the subsequent lineout (the one that left him injured) than Beale did in his obstruction.
With Cipriani gone, the Rebels' ability to probe on attack from any point across the pitch, and to not have their defence unravel, is much improved. It takes great pressure to make the Crusaders lose patience and the Rebels did that superbly tonight.
Posted 14:05 12th May 2012
Trader2 says...
Great work Rebels just want my Highlanders wanted (sorry Crusaders fans) I haven't watched the game yet (just back from a dinner I couldn't get out of). Puts last week Reds v Crusaders game into perspective I guess but then you have to have one major upset a year but fantastic for the game here in Melbourne.
TominHongKong I wouldn't get too carried away the Oz Conference is very ordinary, forgetting the Brumbies the Oz teams at the momemt are 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th and how tonights game relates to the new 4 nations I am not quite sure. Anyway I am sure you are down the "Wanch" celebrating at Joe Bannas so enjoy.
Posted 13:55 12th May 2012
sirtidychris says...
Just shows how useless danny cipriani really is...as soon as he leaves the rebels improve by about 60%....well done rebels !
Posted 13:55 12th May 2012
kiwieire02 says...
Well done rebels. You took the game to the crusaders and got the reward for it.They played with speed, aggression, accuracy and determination which was great to see. After this and last weekend's game I think a lot of teams are going to have to be wary now about the rebels especially at home.
As for the crusaders WTF! after last week's shaky win and now this they need to seriously wake up and kick things up a gear or 2 if they want get to the playoffs. their support play which normally is their strong point was non existent. their basic handling and decision making were poor although a lot of that was down to the pressure the rebels put on them by the shovelful, But a team with the players the crusaders have shouldn't crack so easily under pressure.
Anyway again well done the rebels and I expect better from the crusaders next weekend.
Posted 13:42 12th May 2012
kpe12 says...
How out of sorts do the Crusaders look at the moment, Dan is playing well below his best, I want to kick Ritchie in the head cause he's lost his edge and his infringements are ridiculous, Dagg looked like a touch rugby player, Guildford needs to learn how to kick a rugby ball, he lost the game with that terrible return kick. Missed tackles, no execution on offence.
Crusaders have one 1 game by more than 7 points all season and they are going to get caught more and more. The balance of power has shifted and you'd be happy if you are a Chiefs/Hurricanes supporter right now cause they look like they want to play.
Posted 13:35 12th May 2012
sandal says...
This result does not alter my opinion that the Australian conference is weak.
It confirms my opinion that the Crusaders are not the team they were, and that they have got steadily weaker during Todd Blackadder's tenure. Even last year, a special year, they showed a decline, and this year they no longer have that motivating circumstance.
I don't want to sound smug in saying these things, because the Crusaders have been a great, great team over the years whose play I have enjoyed and admired. Too many people, however, base their appraisal of this team on their increasingly distant history, not their recent performances. And Crusaders fans have grown unpleasantly arrogant. At least on this website they have.
This result also confirms my opinion that, weak though they are, the Rebels have enough talent to upset just about anyone at home. This is the Super XV, not la Liga; talent is more evenly spread.
Congratulations to Rebels fans. Get real, Crusaders fans.
Posted 13:34 12th May 2012
FISH says...
anyone wo points out that they have wn the title 10 times is living in the past......nottingham forrest won the primier league in england acouple of times ...set the record for the most wins in thier time.....but now they suck ......crusaders suck....stop living in the past
Posted 13:33 12th May 2012