A Richie Mo’unga masterclass saw the Crusaders seal a 43-27 come-from-behind win over the Rebels in Melbourne.
The result told a story, but only half of it.
Trailing 24-12 at half-time, the Rebels had lived up to their self-titled nickname ‘Burn City’ by putting on a show in the first half.
For 50 minutes they hit and whacked and put the Crusaders on their backs and held them up over their line.
But just as they faded against the Blues, the Rebels’ huff and puff ran out as they conceded 31 points in the final 25 minutes, including 17 in the final 10, to suffer their third straight defeat.
Ioane Moananu of the Crusaders celebrates scoring a second half try against the Melbourne Rebels and Crusaders at AAMI Park on April 21, 2023. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
It was a deflating result after wowing the Melbourne crowd through the most entertaining and enterprising showing from an Australian side this year.
It also came after a memorable week, where the Rebels’ management showed the current coaching structure a huge show of faith by re-signing head coach Kevin Foote, in-demand assistant Tim Sampson and rising forwards coach Geoff Parling.
While their re-signings are a long-term strategic plan after a decade of looking for the quick fix and sugar hit, Foote expressed his desire and understanding that results are needed. Not courageous defeats.
Nonetheless, those who watched the game would have gone away thoroughly entertained. That’s half the battle, but the style of match is rarely remembered in time.
The Rebels’ first half lead was built on the back of a rush defence which shut down the Crusaders’ midfield. It even led to a brilliant runaway try to Vaiolini Ekuasi.
Front-rowers Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi and Sam Talakai put in a strong shift, but it was their back five forwards, locks Trevor Hosea and Josh Canham, who were at the heart of the showing.
Carter Gordon was rarely given front-foot ball, but the rising No.10, who caught the eye of Eddie Jones earlier in the week, showed his rising maturity, decision-making and toughness.
Ultimately, however, the Crusaders chipped away at the Rebels. The holes started to widen and tackles bounced off and eventually through.
Mo’unga played the role of master and commander as his decision-making came to the fore.
The Japan-bound playmaker finished it in style too, bouncing to the shortside and finding Dallas McLoud out wide to score and seal a bonus point. Then, from the sideline, Mo’unga’s conversion put the icing on top.
“It was scrappy at times, but nevertheless to comeback from behind against an awesome Rebels team, they put us under some huge pressure tonight, big ups to them, but our boys showed effort to win it at the end,” Mo’unga said.
Mo’unga put their second half showing down to accuracy and completing their half-chances.
Richie Mo’unga put on a clinic to lead the Crusaders to an important win over the Rebels at AAMI Park on April 21, 2023. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Rebels captain Brad Wilkin, who works harder than any other Rebels player every week and was deserving of being called by Jones to the Wallabies’ first training camp, lamented his side’s inability to play in the right side of the field for long enough periods.
“A good first half and then just second half lost the territory game. It was a game of that. When they were in our half they were scoring points, it’s just frustrating to go down,” Wilkin said.
Asked what needed to change, Wilkin said improving their discipline would go a long way to fixing their issues.
“If I knew the answers we wouldn’t be in this position,” he said.
“We did start the second half better tonight, but it comes down to discipline and when the guys get fatigued we’ve got to stick to that discipline and can’t go away from our systems.”
For much of the first half the Rebels played with the same desire and skill-set as Quade Cooper’s Reds of 2011.
That’s quite the compliment given the Reds won the competition, but the Rebels are showing plenty of the early hallmarks of Cooper’s side when they first got together.
Building some more starch and giving Gordon a better platform is now needed because the 22-year-old has finally found his feet.
Gordon cross-field kicked in his own goal line and played the type of heads-up-rugby that Jones would have wanted.
David Havili scored a double in the Crusaders’ important win over the Rebels in Melbourne. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
It didn’t start as planned for the Rebels who conceded after 12 minutes when Macca Springer scored out wide.
But Wilkin hit back quickly for the home side, taking advantage of some poor goal-line deence to score.
Ekuasi’s stunning 90m effort saw the home side take the lead.
The match was being played a frenetic pace when All Blacks star back David Havili scored.
Halfback Ryan Louwrens responded with pace once more to help extend the Rebels’ lead.
A penalty from Reece Hodge gave the Rebels some more momentum after 30 minutes.
Some brilliant defence and a strong scrum on the stroke of half-time led to the Rebels going into the break leading 24-12.
Despite some early chances in the second half, the momentum started to turn and Havili’s second saw the tension build.
Ekuasi’s yellow card for hands in the ruck turned the game after 61 minutes.
The Crusaders scored immediately through Cullen Grace.
While Hodge’s penalty gave the Rebels a one-point lead, the home side simply couldn’t hold onto the ball for long enough.
Then the wheels came off as the Crusaders took advantage of some tiring defence as Mo’unga led the visitors to a crucial bonus point win.
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