Chiefs win first game in three weeks with 22-16 victory over Melbourne Rebels in Hamilton

MELBOURNE Rebels remain winless overseas after an agonising 22-16 loss to reigning Super Rugby champions, the Chiefs, at Waikato Stadium.

Augustine Pulu ran well from halfback.

MELBOURNE Rebels remain winless overseas after an agonising 22-16 loss to reigning Super Rugby champions, the Chiefs, at Waikato Stadium.

Outclassed in the opening 25 minutes to trail 19-0, the Rebels repeatedly pushed for historic victory in the final 10 minutes before coming up short.

But costly fumbles cost Melbourne when landmark triumph beckoned.

Captain Scott Higginbotham, sin-binned for 10 minutes a crucial part of a hectic second half, admitted the Rebels panicked late.

“We just panicked at the end there, it’s just rugby experience,” he said

“It’s not good enough.

“We didn’t start well, Chiefs took advantage of that.”

Melbourne has lost its past four matches in New Zealand by a combined total of 17 points - Blues (4), Crusaders (4), Highlanders (3) and Chiefs (4).

Derided as the easy-beat of the competition pre-match, the Rebels won the respect of the Chiefs with an inspired revival.

“The Rebels are a good side, put us under a lot of pressure,” All Black Liam Messam said.

The Rebels roared back into the match after trailing 19-6 at half-time and repeatedly threatened to topple the Chiefs.

Melbourne had a scrum on the Chiefs’ line but Male Sa’u was driven into touch before another attacking move ended when former Chief Toby Smith fumbled possession.

Those blunders will burn the Rebels for a long time as it reflects on the herculean performances of Luke Jones, Mitch Inman and Luke Burgess.

Jones’s work rate was staggering, while Inman was punishing all over the park. Burgess lit up Melbourne when he replaced injured Nic Stirzaker.

Lock Jones won five lineouts and made 13 runs in a performance that would not have gone unnoticed by Wallabies selectors.

As the fastest-starting team in the competition, the Chiefs ran true to form with a withering 25-minute burst, powering to a 19-0 lead.

Gareth Anscombe, promoted to the starting 15 and the vice-captaincy with injury to All Black flyhalf Aaron Cruden, was outstanding.

The sharp-shooting No.10 drilled four penalties while also converting the Michael Fitzgerald try he helped engineer.

Testing the patience of referee Matt O’Brien, the Rebels doggedly avoided a landslide as unforced errors continued to haunt them.

Dropped ball hurt Melbourne at crucial times against a miserly defence.

Just as concerning was poor discipline as the early penalty count tilted heavily against the Rebels, prompting O’Brien to warn Higginbotham: “Listen, your discipline needs to change big-time.”

The Rebels became tidier before two penalties from Jason Woodward hauled them to a 19-6 half-time deficit.

Cleaner execution after the break saw Japanese international Shota Horie crashed over for his first Super Rugby try as scrumhalf Luke Burgess continued to excel at the ruck base.

Woodward’s conversion brought Melbourne back to within six points.

Stung, the Chiefs introduced All Black playmaker Tawera Kerr-Barlow and strung together 17 phases but the Melbourne defence held firm in a telling display of commitment.

A chance to push for a second try was dashed by turnover, leading to a Chiefs’ counter-attack which was foiled by Bryce Hegarty’s magnificent chase and scrambling kick into touch.

Higginbotham’s dismissal in the ensuing play for a cynical infringement on the Rebels goal line led to another Anscombe goal.

A rare Woodward penalty miss inside the final 10 minutes stalled the Rebels’ surge,

The defending champions continued to waver under Melbourne’s pressure leading forward Pauliasi Manu being sin-binned for a deliberate infringement close to his own line.

But they had sufficient poise to survive - but only just.

Chiefs 22

Tries - Fitzgerald

Pens - Anscombe 5

Cons - Anscombe

Rebels 16

Tries - Horie

Pens - Woodward 3

Cons - Woodward