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Rebels v Aces, preview
August 17, 2007 - 6:32am
Story by: Sportal
Venue & time
Olympic Park, Melbourne. Saturday August 18, 7.30pm (AEST).
Head to head
Debut clash
Walking wounded & team changes
Melbourne Rebels coach Bill Millard has made only one change to the squad that defeated the Vikings last week in Canberra with Sydney Uni flanker David Haydon replacing Felipe Manu on the bench.
Teenage lock Robert Simmons makes his debut in the Mazda ARC coming in at lock for Luke Caughley. The only other change to the squad sees returning prop Ben Coutts on the bench in place of Lloyd Campbell McBride.
Form
The Rebels surprised everyone with a come-from-behind win last week over the Canberra Vikings in Canberra. After leaking some tries through the centres and on the wing, the Rebels took control of play in the middle of the park to start the ball rolling and built up a winning momentum.
The Aces had an explosive start to the Mazda ARC blazing out to a 27-0 lead over the Ballymore Tornadoes last week. The Aces controlled play at the breakdown with a great indicator of their forwards dominance the fact that all four of their tries through the forwards – two from the front row.
Who's hot
Rebels skipper David Croft led from the front last weekend. His scavenging style at the breakdown suits the experimental rules and he was simply devastating in both attack and defence. Blindside David Dennis was also in everything along with lock Richard Stanford. Luke Burgess has a busy game at scrumhalf while Test winger Digby Ioane was electrifying every time he touched the ball.
Aces hooker Ole Avei continued his good form scoring the opening try for the Aces last week while flanker AJ Gilbert was in everything. Wallabies fullback Chris Latham also showed his class despite still getting back up to match fitness after his knee reconstruction. Skipper Lloyd Johansson was devastating in attack while number eight Josh Afu also stood out.
Teams
Melbourne Rebels
1. Scott Cameron,
2. Nick Churven,
3. Heamani Lavaka,
4. Matt Cockbain,
5. Richard Stanford,
6. David Dennis,
7. David Croft (c),
8. Dave Haigh,
9. Luke Burgess (vc)
10. Dan Kelly,
11. Digby Ioane,
12. Jack Farrer,
13. James Lew,
14. Peter Playford (vc),
15. Nathan Trist.
16. Mike Ross,
17. James Hanson,
18. Liam Shaw,
19. David Haydon,
20. Jon McGrath,
21. Michael Hobbs,
22. Damon Murphy
Not considered due to injury were Western Force flanker Matt Hodgson (knee) and Australian Sevens captain Shawn Mackay (foot).
The remaining squad members not selected in the 22 will turn out for their Bundaberg Rum Pillar Cup teams this weekend: local star Josh Hately will be locking horns for the North West University Lions as they take on 2nd place Harlequins South. Westgate Power will have Luke Cross in the centres as they try to get back to their winning ways against the Kingston Redbacks, with Felipe Manu in the backrow. In the other Pillar Cup fixture this weekend Eastern Suburbs take on Melbourne Barbarians at Box Hill.
East Coast Aces
1. Tama Tuirirangi,
2. Ole Avei,
3. Rodney Blake,
4. Will Munsie,
5. Robert Simmons,
6. Ben Mowen,
7. AJ Gilbert,
8. Josh Afu,
9. Nic Berry,
10. Ben Lucas,
11. Henari Veratau,
12. Lloyd Johansson (capt),
13. Charlie Fetoai,
14. Andrew Walker,
15. Chris Latham.
16. Jade Ingham,
17. Ben Coutts,
18. James Kriukelis,
19. Bo Paraha,
20. Sam Batty,
21. Quade Cooper,
22. Marshall Milroy.
Last edited by Burgs; 18-08-07 at 16:00.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Damn it! KwooWade Kwooper is on the bench. And he is such a talented player too. Great hands , I hear.
Laura Force Addict v Chook scrabble-off on Facebook: laura & Force Addict 0 | chook 9
Gigsa made me do it
"He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty." – Lao Tzu
Haven't seen him yet but they are putting Ben Lucas in the same space as Cooper and Beale these days.
Had an awesome season and Grand Final for Sunnybank apparently.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Rebels remain undefeated
August 18, 2007
MELBOURNE Rebels remain undefeated in the Australian Rugby Championship after a thrilling 34-24 win over East Coast Aces in their home debut at Olympic Park.
Thirty-eight-year-old prop Heamani Lavaka bagged an unlikely double for the Rebels, who scored five tries to four in greasy conditions in front of 4785 fans.
Lavaka got his first from a Rebels forwards drive after 14 minutes and the home side went up 12-0 when former Australia lock Matt Cockbain sent skipper David Croft over after a loose lineout throw.
The home side went up 19-0 when full back Nathan Trist crossed but their lead was cut to 19-5 by the break after the Aces' Andrew Walker pinched an intercept and ran 75 metres to touch down.
Aces wing Henari Veratau crossed soon after half-time to claw it back to 19-10 but Rebels halfback Luke Burgess continued an impressive performance by sending Peter Playford over soon after.
When Aces halfback Sam Batty was yellow-carded for dissent, the visitors were facing a 24-10 deficit with only 14 men.
The Rebels rammed home their advantage when man-of-the-match Lavaka barged over from a lineout for his second and the conversion opened up a 21-point lead.
Late tries to Veratau and replacement Quade Cooper got the Aces to within nine points before the Rebels secured it with a Jack Farrer penalty goal.
AAP
Adore this life
There is no guarantee
Could end by tomorrow
Any points for tipping 0/4
Well done the Rebels and a decent crowd too
Must have been a decent spray to be YC'd for dissent![]()
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
2 great things from this article/match.....
1. A 38-year-old prop playing this level of rugby....fantastic!!!
2. Looks like the Aces half-back is as gobby as all other half-backs in the rugby world!!! Unless he's the captain, he's no right to be discussing, questioning or complaining to the referee. Shut your mouth & get on with your game!
CHEERLEADERS ROCK!!!
Heamani Levaka is a champion, he plays for Easts in the Sydney comp and from memory he is actually from out bush and he'd drive many many hours to train once a week with Easts and do it again on game days.
Adore this life
There is no guarantee
Could end by tomorrow
Ya reckon, Burgs?Originally Posted by Burgs
For a city of about 4 million that was reportedly screaming out for a S14 franchise and with a brand new team that won away last week against one of the comp favourites, I reckon it's as weak as piss.
WA rugby fans rule![]()
Go Luke Burgess!! Maybe something good will come out of losing Josh Holmes to the Ponies.
Laura Force Addict v Chook scrabble-off on Facebook: laura & Force Addict 0 | chook 9
Gigsa made me do it
"He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty." – Lao Tzu