KOROIBETE SCORES TRY FOR REBELS AS THEY RECORD FIRST SUPER RUGBY AU WIN
Sydney: Fijianborn Wallabies winger Marika
Koroibete scored a try for Rebels as they wallop the Waratahs
29-10 at the Sydney
Cricket Ground on
Friday night.
But it was the class of veteran playmaker Matt
To’omua that saw the Rebels register their maiden win of Super Rugby AU and retain the Weary Dunlop Shield.
The 30-year-old, who is in a fight with James O’Connor and Noah Lolesio to wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey, bagged 19 points and was a threat for the Rebels against the inexperienced Waratahs.
The Waratahs gave away 17 penalties and had forwards Michael Hooper and Jed Holloway shown yellow cards in both halves. Waratahs coach Rob Penney described the loss as “frustrating” and said his team didn’t show up after last week’s gut-wrenching 24-23 loss to the Brumbies last Saturday. “I think we were out muscled and I think we were out-passioned today,” Penney said.
“I don’t know if the short turn-around had a bit of an effect, but we weren’t there where we needed to be emotionally and the Rebels taught us a lesson and it’s a great credit to them.”
Making matters worse, captain Rob Simmons suffered a broken rib in the first-half. The veteran lock wasn’t sure whether the injury would keep him sidelined, but said that next week’s bye would be an opportunity to “reset” after back to back defeats. The victory saw the Rebels move ahead of the Waratahs on points differential. Rebels coach Dave Wessels paid credit to his young forward pack. Rugby.com.au
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