Quade Cooper stars as Melbourne Rebels beat Highlanders

Quade Cooper magic helped the Melbourne Rebels score their points but defensive steel won them a second game to start 2019 as they held off the Highlanders with some stoic try-line stopping.

Rebels players celebrate a try to Billy Meakes. Picture: Getty Images

• Rejuvenated Cooper is here to help

Cooper magic helped the Melbourne Rebels score their points but defensive steel won them a second game to start 2019 as they held off the Highlanders with some stoic try-line stopping.

The 24-19 win came after just one second-half try for the home team, a stunning short kick down the sideline from the enigmatic Cooper that popped up on its end and in to the hands of Billy Meakes.

But it was an intercepted blind pass thrown by the Rebels new flyhalf, with less than five minutes to go, which demanded the Rebels find the stoicism many believe it needs to be real Super Rugby contenders.

Bill Meakes reaches out to score for the Rebels. Picture: AAP

The massive forwards from Dunedin ploughed in again and again as the clocked ticked down, and the ball just a metre or so from cruelly dashing the hopes of the Melbourne outfit which lead for so much of a hot night.

But as many times as the Highlanders, hard to miss in high-vis green jerseys, went to the line, the Rebels stuck in and pushed them back.

When flanker Shannon Frizell finally dropped the ball over the line while attempting to score the try that would have tied up the game, the Rebels needed only to maintain possession for the final 90 seconds to secure a big win.

Melbourne Rebels five-eighth Quade Cooper was a stand-out against the Highlanders. Picture: AAP

In the end, that was the easiest business of the night, and the Rebels remain undefeated, with a spring in their steps, and a steel in their eye.

“We threw an intercept and 15 jerseys chased them down, then we defended our line,” Wessels said.

“Out of a bad moment that was the best moment for me because it showed guys care about the team and for each other.

“I was proud of them for that.”

COOPER MAGIC

For the first 25 minutes Rebels flyhalf Quade Cooper had hardly touched the ball as the Highlanders denied the rebels possession. The only thing that stood out about Cooper’s game was his fluorescent green boots. But as the Rebels finally got serious control of the ball, and upped the pace, Cooper who had been stalking behind his team’s forwards as they pushed in to ruck after ruck, finally bobbed in.

In a flash of those green boots he shifted to the left of the posts, jumped to catch a pass from his mate Will Genia and then as he was landed, and a she was being tackled, Cooper flicked the ball, no-look style, to Jack Maddocks who scored untouched. It was a pass few players other than Cooper could have conceived, yet along pulled off as the rebels went up 14-12. His second half-side kick to Meakes was possibly even better.

Dane Haylett-Petty of the Rebels looks to get past Teihorangi Walden of the Highlanders on Friday night. Picture: AAP

SMILING ASSASSIN

Tom English wore purple socks that matches the trimming of his grey tracksuit, as he got on his motorcycle to leave training. It’s a contradiction that matches his playing style. He’s got a broad smile, is incredibly affable and looks like the clean0-cut boy next door. But crossing that white line stirs the lion in him and English scored two more tries to extend his lead as the club’s leading try-scorer. He also had three line breaks and five tackle busts as he proved hard for the Highlanders to handle.

Tom English of the Rebels (right) celebrates a try with teammate Brad Wilkin. Picture: AAP

HARD HANDS MAKE FOR HARD WORK

THE Rebels have decided frenetic play is their preferred manner and that’s fine, but only if you can hold on to the ball with passes coming thick and fast. Handling issues plagued the Rebels efforts with winger Marika Korobiete a chief offender. Korobiete is built like a block of concrete, and could charge through a brick wall he’s able to build up such a head of steam. But he’s more than likely drop the ball after he got through it. The Wallaby even misjudged a high ball so badly that it went straight through his hands and hit his face. The handling errors were 11-4 at the end, an era of improvement for the Rebels.

REBELS 24 (Tom English 2, Jack Maddocks, Bill Meakes tries Quade Cooper 2 cons) HIGHLANDERS 19 (Shannon Frizell, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi tries Marty Banks, Bryn Gatland cons) at AAMI Park. Referee: AJ Jacobs.

Originally published as Quade Cooper stars as Melbourne Rebels beat Highlanders