Lucky escape for Reds against Rebels

Sydney: The Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds have played out an 18-18 draw following a 90-minute contest in their Super Rugby AU encounter at Brookvale Oval in Sydney on Friday night.

Fiji Flying Fijians halfback Frank Lomani was on the reserve for Rebels with

Marika Koroibete on the wing while

Reds had Filipo

Daugunu.

The contest was forced into a historic 10-minute

Super Time period

— the first played in Australia’s new domestic competition — when a last-minute try to Reds replacement Alex Mafi was converted by James O’Connor after the siren.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in Super Time, much to the displeasure of the small crowd in attendance at the home ground of NRL club Manly.

The Rebels, who lost their Super Rugby AU opener to the Brumbies last weekend, had seemingly done enough to secure victory over the Reds when they led by 10 points with five minutes remaining following an intercept try to Billy Meakes.

But an O’Connor penalty goal in the 75th minute — after he had thrown the errant pass to Meakes — and Mafi’s last-gasp try, dashed the Rebels’ hopes of winning during regular time.

The exciting finish was in stark contrast to a dour first half played in mostly driving rain.