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Rebels secure first ever victory against Highlanders

Jack Maddocks
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The Rebels have secured their first victory over a New Zealand side in Super Rugby since 2015 when they held on to a win against the Highlanders.

They beat their cross-Tasman rivals 24-19 in Melbourne, while earlier the Hurricanes secured a 43-13 win over the Brumbies in Palmerston North.

The Highlanders had the better of the opening exchanges enjoying the lion’s share of possession.

Shannon Frizell and Sam Talakai both went over for well-worked tries to give the visitors a 12-7 lead but it was their defence that suddenly failed them.

The Rebels then ran in three tries, first through Tom English and Jack Maddocks, to start the fight back. Maddocks try followed an exceptional off-load from flyhalf Quade Cooper.

Although the Highlanders managed to control possession, English scored his second and the home-team went into the break 19-12 in the lead.

The Rebels managed just one more try in the second half through Bill Meakes and then held on bravely for a memorable 24-19 win over New Zealand opposition.

It was a turn of events in Palmerston North for both sides. The Brumbies came crushing back to earth as they went down 43-13 to the Hurricanes, following a resounding victory over the Chiefs a week ago.

The Canes bounced back after their defeat to the Crusader in their previous match. The Hurricanes won the contest by a landslide, running in six tries to two.

Centre Ngani Laumape scored a hat trick and captain Dane Coles a brace for the hosts. Coles and Laumape crossed the line to see the hosts take a 14-0 lead after 14 minutes.

However, poor discipline by the Hurricanes allowed the Brumbies back into the game as they scored after a well-executed line-out drive.

All Blacks hooker Coles scored his team’s third try as he completed his initial move to score in the corner for a hard-fought 19-8 half-time lead.

Beauden Barret scored a penalty goal while Laumape’s try took the game away from the Brumbies.

An interception by Matt Proctor put Laumape through for his hat-trick. Lock James Blackwell ensured that the Canes had the final say as he raced away to score the final try.

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