Lions overpower Rebels in Melbourne
The Lions clinched a ninth Super Rugby win of the season as they routed the Rebels 47-10 in Melbourne on Saturday.
In the end, the Lions recorded seven tries as they completed a comfortable bonus-point win that maintains their ascendancy at the top of the Africa group.
The Lions dominating territory and possession in the opening quarter, but as was the case last weekend, their finishing lacked its usual accuracy.
As a result, the opening quarter remained scoreless as the Rebels’ abrasive defence stood up to the test of the Lions’ multi-phase ball movement.
However, the Lions eventually found a way to breach the defence as Kwagga Smith twisted over the tryline in the 20th minute, while Ross Cronje showed good footwork to finish off another five-pointer soon after.
It seemed as if that might spark the Lions into a points-scoring frenzy, but the Rebels impressively hit back as centre Tom English latched onto a grubber to score the hosts’ first point of the game.
Yet, undeterred, the Lions continued to play with plenty of width, and eventually winger Courtnall Skosan punished a tiring defence as he ran a beautiful line to dot down with the final play of the half.
That score sent the Lions into a 19-7 lead at the break, and although Rebels fullback Reece Hodge slotted a penalty just after half-time, the visitors responded with a moment of magic.
Receiving a pass well within his half, Lions winger Sylvian Mahuza produced a stunning break that left a host of defenders grasping at thin air as he darted over to score under the posts.
That swung the momentum firmly in favour of the Lions, and they were then awarded a penalty try around the hour mark as the Rebels were penalised for infringing at a driving maul. To make matters worse, Rebels replacement Culum Retallick was shown a yellow card.
It was a seven-pointer that sealed the result, and from there, Anthony Volmink and Warren Whiteley went over for the Lions’ final two tries as they completed an important bonus-point win.
Scorers:
Rebels 10 (7): Try: Tom English. Conversion: Reece Hodge. Penalty: Hodge.
Lions 47 (19): Tries: Kwagga Smith, Ross Cronjé, Courtnall Skosan, Sylvian Mahuza, penalty try, Anthony Volmink, Warren Whiteley. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (6).