Rebels on the board for 2020 as Tahs plunge to horror 0-3 start

The Melbourne Rebels have snapped their Waratahs’ hoodoo and their winless start to the Super Rugby season, storming to a 24-10 win at AAMI Park.

Both teams were searching for their first victory heading into the round three match but the Rebels emerged from the driving rain with the hard-earned points.

Winger Andrew Kellaway, who replaced injured Wallaby Reece Hodge midway through the first half, scored two late tries to seal the result.

The Waratahs had won six of their past seven matches in Melbourne dating back to 2013 and 15 of their past 17 overall, making the victory all the sweeter for the home side.

Rebels coach Dave Wessels was particularly pleased by the way his captain Dane- Haylett-Petty and his new halves combination Matt Toomua and Ryan Louwrens managed the game in the wet weather.

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“I thought they did a great job of leading the guys tactically in terms of what we had to do to win the game,” Wessels said.

“We’re going to celebrate it as a team because there’s not one person who stood out - it was a real team effort to squeeze them and ultimately get the outcome.”

The loss leaves the Waratahs with their worst start to a Super Rugby season since the competition’s inception, with their coach Rob Penney saying 19 unforced errors meant they weren’t able to apply any pressure.

“The Rebels, to their credit, really dictated well and I thought (Matt) Toomua played exceptionally well at 10,” Penney said.

“We weren’t in a position to apply enough pressure through our own errors.

“We’re turning the ball over after one or two phases which has been a bit of an issue for us.”

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Melbourne led 8-5 at halftime with Louwrens, in his Rebels starting debut, and Toomua steering the ship with aplomb.

The kicking game of Toomua and fullback Haylett-Petty gave the Rebels a significant advantage over the Sydneysiders.

With both teams struggling in the conditions, Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete was the only tryscorer in the first half.

The Rebels looked to have scored another just before the break however the TMO ruled Koroibete obstructed the defence as Bill Meakes touched down.

The Waratahs took the lead in the 45th minute when prop Harry Johnson-Holmes barrelled over but it only lasted two minutes before Melbourne hit back through a successful penalty.

Kellaway’s efforts then secured a much-needed win for his team.

The Waratahs now have the bye while the Rebels host the Sharks in Ballarat.

REBELS 24 (Andrew Kellaway 2, Marika Koroibete tries; Matt To’omua 3 pen) WARATAHS 10 (Harry Johnson-Holmes try; Will Harrison con, pen)

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