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
Trader2 says...
Sandal I think you should get some professional help...... quickly. No more comment from me you scare the ***** out of me, please mate talk to someone.
Posted 14:47 15th May 2012
sandal says...
Trader2
"English" football sucks. Many English football "fans" suck. And your attitude is remarkably akin to the most bitter and twisted of English football parochialism. I don't want to see rugby go that way. I would rather people like you "gave their hearts" to some bunch of "English" football mercenaries instead and stopped bringing their kind of bile to these webpages.
That's what's with my "garbage" about English football.
Don't drag our game down to their level.
Posted 05:51 15th May 2012
Trader2 says...
APV1 you are on the happy juice again
Posted 23:08 14th May 2012
carpelone says...
I agree with Kiwilad. Must be the same shop of Weepu.
Joking aside, the post from Kiwilad is honest if not too harsh. McCaw's injury was not a simple one and it is very difficult to raise the bar once again at 32.
Would be interesting to see who Hansen is going to pick.
Posted 20:09 14th May 2012
APV1 says...
@ sirtidychris, startledwombat, KiwiLad & Ramage - in a little-known interview after the match, Kurtley Beale was heard thanking Danny Cipriani for all that he had taught him. He mentioned defence, attack, attitude, kicking, passing, reading of the game and, most importantly, humility.
@ brands - ignoring your daft comments about England losing, I'd like to ask what the Crusaders taste like? Personally I don't lick many teams, as they find it all a bit too intrusive, but I imagine the 'Saders must have a rather metallic taste...
@ Trader2 - I heard a rumour that KiwiLad was trying to get Transported back from the Colonies. I'd better let him know that it doesn't work that way, otherwise you'd have been on the first boat.
;-)
Posted 16:45 14th May 2012
Trader2 says...
Sandal I think you have missed my point. You are a Canes fan and you are saying that even though a Crusaders win against the Reds would put your team out you still want the Crusaders to win because the Reds are an Aussie team. I do not, not support NZ teams in fact the complete opposite but will support any side who by winning will hand the Highlanders an advantage. I think you have taken my hypothetical literally. And yes of course I want the Crusaders to miss out because if they do then the Highlanders or your Hurricanes would go through - so I apologise if I support my team above all others. The Rebels win helped out both the Highlanders and the Hurricanes ¿ you should be as happy as me. Now if the Highlanders are out of the running I will support any NZ team who gets through which is what I think you originally said. What¿s with this garbage about English football, who cares?
Posted 14:57 14th May 2012
Trinats2 says...
Capedcrusader:
When it comes to downright blatant bias (or incompedent) home ref, yes I do have a chip. You honestly think Crusaders deserved that win ?
Is that your best, "Look at the table" ?? Toughen up princess.
5 ABs on the bench ??? Crudsaders were winning 15 minutes to go until the 5 ABs came on !!!!
KiwiLad:
You can't talk about Mccaw like that, you'll be sent to exile. Or is that what you're after !!!!
Posted 13:46 14th May 2012
Capedcrusader says...
Trinats
"Good to see Reds this year stinging a few wins together (they did beat the Crusaders last week !)"
You really do have a chip on your shoulder. The sad thing is when people question the validity of your tripe you stay silent. Looked at the table today???
Posted 09:27 14th May 2012
Trinats2 says...
"Rebels stun Crusaders"
I'd say just outplayed them. I had predicted the Rebels by 6 or 8 ? I wasn't stunned or even surprised.
I was stunned the Hurricanes beat the Highlanders (although they didn't really, the officials did !!!)
capedcrusader:
"What a sad sore loser you come across as"
So does your post ! Have you read it without tears in your eyes ?
Posted 05:34 14th May 2012
Trader2 says...
TominHongKong sorry mate but my question remains unanswered "How does this relate to the four nations?"
Posted 04:06 14th May 2012
sandal says...
I don't believe I was ranting as you say, though I quite openly state that I dislike your delight in New Zealand teams other than the Highlanders losing. I have seen too much of that sort of bitter parochialism in English football -- my club and my club only, I hate other English teams.
In the hypothetical situation you describe I would like the Crusaders to win. But what if a Reds win meant the Reds went through at the expense of the Crusaders? Your postings over the past weeks suggest you would want the Reds to win and the Crusaders to miss out. If I'm mistaken in that, then perhaps you should take more care in what you write.
Even in the posting I am responding to, you cannot resist a taunt against a Canes fan ("your team are going to miss out (again)"). That is despite the fact that the Canes have been far more successful than the Highlanders for several years now. (The equivalent English football fan's response when his club loses? "Oh well, at least so-and-so also lost.") I am only saddened by the Highlanders' failures.
Let us hope four NZ teams make it to the playoffs -- just as any sane and balanced South Africans and Australians would like to see their teams achieve the same.
Posted 03:27 14th May 2012
meneer says...
As a Bulls fan, we were very lucky to beat the rebels last week - since getting rid of Cipriani they look a much better team. No win is guaranteed, especially away from home. The Crusaders are a quality outfit, so I expect they will learn from this one and be in the top four at the business end.
Posted 14:59 13th May 2012
noord_transvaal says...
Bulls weren't that lucky then.... Well done Rebels. Next week the Force are gonna get another 40+ point hiding. Hope England picks Cipriati for the S.A. tour.
Posted 14:09 13th May 2012
capedcrusader says...
Well done Rebels. Played the 2nd half the way you needed too.
When the team was named I knew Blackadder dismissed the Bulls game the week before & clearly learnt nothing from the tour of SA season gone. Win tough against the Stormers then easily outplayed by the Cheetahs the following week. Only managed the last 20 mins dear oh dear talk about playing into their hands. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy trying to run from every & anywhere. Kearnsy was nice enough to state if any team could come back the Crusaders could but the Bulls are proving to be the best team at employing a game plan for when things go wrong. Take a leaf.
Interesting to see how many posters come out of the woodwork when the Crusaders are on the wrong end of a should have won result. Clearly have chips on their shoulders very sad bunch in deed you are. Fish - water ducks back you don't watch or know rugby so keep up the pathetic work. Its not always about winning titles you tool. What a sad sore loser you come across as. BTW folks as a franchise we have been there done that which is a lot more than can be said for most others. Read into it what you want but don't forget winning at home is most important. I do agree we are a shell of our usual self & perhaps Blackadder doesn't always help that with his inexperience. 6 left 1 bye 4 against NZ teams 4 at home. Look at your draw I know what I'd prefer
Posted 12:16 13th May 2012
Trader2 says...
Sandal are you for real?? Okay lets hypothesise - it's say Crudsaders v Reds if Crusaders win they go through to the finals and displace the Hurricanes so who are you cheering for then? Obviously the Crusaders because you don't want to see a NZ team lose, and too bad that your team are going to miss out (again) is that right? Sorry but your rant doesnt make sense. I agree if the Highlanders cannot win I would much prefer another NZ team to win it but not at my teams expense. Teams from the same nations certainly don't ease up to allow the other to go through, I think your post was a bit idiotic really and you should probably take a good look at yourself preferably not through yellow tinted glasses.
Posted 11:46 13th May 2012
Ramage says...
Sandal has summed up one point many have missed and that is the fact the Crusaders have lost the fluidity in their play that was so evident last year. I too have been concerned about the way the Crusaders have been going down hill over the past few years and I too agree with Sandal and go further in saying that it will continue as long as Todd Blackadder is at the helm. Finally every dog has his day and although we might not agree with the way Fish says it maybe just maybe the arrogant way the Crusaders approached this game has caught them out. Do they believe their press? Just as i attack the Sydney rugby writers about the way each year back the Waratahs to win the Super Title, so too the Canterbury Press and its lackeys in other parts of NZ are sucked into the belief that they are the best. Maybe just maybe their days are numbered and as Fish states are living on past laurels. Yes they were the best but has that mantle slipped from their grasp. The Rebels since the injection of Beale and departure of Cipriani have been an inspiration and suggests franchises look very carefully at using playmakers from the NH in their teams. However relief for the Cusaders and also the Highlanders could be in sight as there is a very strong rumour that the missionaries are due to arrive in the South Island next year. Allelujah!
Posted 10:58 13th May 2012
jonesy2 says...
crusaders suck? never seen a stupider thing said
Posted 06:57 13th May 2012
jonesy2 says...
ok, so is kurtley going to be full-time long term 10 for the wallabies? i dont think there is any doubt about him being in the 10 shirt against scotland and wales. i prefer AAC at fullback anyway and faingaa and/or mccabe can be at 13 and 12 or barnes at 12 either way is good.
Posted 06:56 13th May 2012
Stag says...
5 ABs on the Crusaders bench. Looks like they though they could rest a few and still get a result. Carter looked uninterested at 12, McCaw was poor aswell. Don't know why DC's lacking motivation. It's not as if he can savour the World Cup win. He ccontributed nothing as per the previous two.
Posted 06:51 13th May 2012
isthatrightref says...
@ sandal... I hear you. As you may have gathered, I'm a fairly one-eyed (though never intentionally hateful or poisonous) Crusaders supporter, but...
Southern solidarity & my dad being born in Gore dictate that I support the Highlanders v anyone but the Crusaders; spending 4 years in Hamilton as an adult & in Tauranga & Rotorua as a kid plus wifey's Tainui/ Raukawa whakapapa dictates that I go for the Chiefs v anyone but the Crusaders & Highlanders; and 28 years living in Levin (go the mighty 'nua!) & 4 prior to that New Plymouth (go the 'naki!) dictates that I sometimes have no option but to support the Hurricanes v anyone but the Crusaders, Highlanders & Chiefs; lastly King Carlos went to my old school & I knew his father & brother back in the day, but go for the Blues? Yeah, nah, bro, some lines you just don't cross ;-)
Posted 03:09 13th May 2012