Live Super Rugby: Melbourne Rebels host ACT Brumbies in battle for top spot in Australian conference

THE rugby gods have smiled on the Brumbies, as the visitors at AAMI Park held on for a gutsy 20-15 win over the Melbourne Rebels.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 28: Tevita Kuridrani of the Brumbies breaks through a tackle to score a try during the round three Super Rugby match between the Rebels and the Brumbies at AAMI Park on February 28, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE Rebels are yet to taste victory at home this season after a second consecutive AAMI Park defeat at the hands of ACT Brumbies.

The Rebels missed the opportunity to jump to the top of the Australian conference with the Brumbies running in two tries to none to score a narrow 20-15 victory.

The home side dominated possession for large parts of the match but struggled to convert their opportunities against an efficient Brumbies outfit.

The Rebels received a penalty in the middle of AAMI Park in the final seconds and they pushed forward in a last ditch attempt to score the win after the siren.

RE-LIVE THE ACTION INCLUDING STATS AND VIDEO IN MATCH CENTRE

Matt Toomua of the Brumbies passes the ball.

They got as close as 10m out from the try line before the Brumbies were able to extinguish the threat.

The final drive summed up a frustrating night for Melbourne – close but not enough.

The Brumbies opened the scoring with a stack of early penalties to helping the visitors land the first points of the night off the boot of Christian Lealiifano.

But Mike Harris soon squared the ledger at 3-3 a few minutes later.

The Brumbies scored the first try of the night in the 21st minute to take a handy 10-3 lead.

Lopeti Timani of the Rebels is tackled.

Right flanker Jarred Butler put Tevita Kuridrani into a hole and over for the first five-pointer of the match.

But the pass looked like it may have been marginally forward, much to the anger of Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham and the Melbourne crowd.

Then the Rebels were denied a try just minutes later to further rub salt into the wounds.

Winger Tom English looked to have scored after a brilliant individual effort, but the play was brought back for a knock-on.

Joe Tomane of the Brumbies breaks through a tackle.

The Rebels were able to reduce the margin to seven points right on halftime courtesy of a penalty goal.

The rain started pelting down during the half-time, ensuring the second half would become a slog.

Melbourne surged forward after the restart in search of its first try.

The home side came close a number of times but the slippery conditions resulted in a number of handling errors with the try line in sight.

Mitch Inman of the Rebels with the ball.

The gap tightened when Harris his third penalty goal of the night to make it a four-point game.

The good work was undone when the Brumbies crossed for their second try through Butler, who barged his way over.

Again Melbourne fought back with Harris slotting another penalty goal.

Then Harris’ fifth penalty goad made it a five-point margin with four minutes remaining.

But that was as close as Melbourne would get.

Melbourne has the bye next round before heading on the road to face the Western Force.

BRUMBIES 20 (Jarrad Butler, Tevita Kuridrani tries Christian Leali’ifano 2 cons 2 pens) bt REBELS 15 (Mike Harris 5 pens) at AAMI Park.

Originally published as Live Super Rugby: Melbourne Rebels host ACT Brumbies in battle for top spot in Australian conference