The Melbourne Rebels have finished the regular season going down to the Fijian Drua in one of the most physical contests of the season.
The Rebels traded blows with their Fijian counterparts, with the conditions boding well for the visiting team to execute their fast and fearless brand of rugby and unlock their pace at set piece.
The Drua opened the accounts early, scoring within 6 minutes off an overlap in the corner.
However, the Rebels found their stride shortly after in the form of a dominant scrum, which led to a penalty try, swinging the momentum in their favour in front of a rampant home crowd in Lautoka.
A Jake Strachan cross-field kick to Andrew Kellaway on the wing extended the Rebels’ lead, with the rapid winger having a clear run to the line.
The Drua fought back their physicality, but the Rebels were prepared to match it, Captain Rob Leota and Josh Kemeny leading from the front with their power on both sides of the ball.
Working hard with his forwards Josh Canham powered over the line, after multiple phases in the Drua’s 22m.
Bringing up his 100th Super Rugby Cap, Taniela Tupou was critical to the first half with the dominant scrummager putting in a shift for the Rebels.
But the Fijians hit back with three tries in the second half, doing well to hold out any attack from the visitors, eventually extending their lead and sealing the game.
The Rebels move to 8th place and lock in a Quarter Final play-off against the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday, June 8.
Speaking to media after the game, Melbourne Rebels Captain Rob Leota was immediately focused on their finals campaign and representing his home city proudly. "Stick with us. We enter finals now so we'll be looking to do a job and make you guys proud" he said.
For the first time in the club’s history, the Rebels will take to the field in a finals campaign and will look to use their connection, integrity and fight instilled in them from Head Coach Kevin Foote to take their game to the Hurricanes.
