Reds overcome spirited Rebels

The Reds managed to defeat a spirited Rebels team 23-13 in Melbourne on 8 March 2013.

The big hyped-up rivalry between Quade Cooper and James O’Connor came into immediate effect, as either flyhalf exchanged penalties, making the score 3-3.

Ben Tapuai was the first to cross the tryline though, as the Reds centre used some good footwork to beat Lachlan Mitchell and dive over the line. Cooper completed the conversion to make it 10-6 to the Reds.

Following a Rebels penalty, the home team hit back just before half time, with James O’Connor showing some great playmaking skills to put Lachlan Mitchell through a gap and under the posts.

Early in the second-half, Nick Frisby delivered a strong pass which put Digby Ioane through the Rebels defence. Ioane managed to offload to Fainga’a, who also got a pass away to Frisby who raced away for the corner. Cooper slotted the penalty brilliantly from the sideline. Cooper’s conversion made it 17-13 to the Reds.

The Rebels began fighting back well, but continual infringements allowed the Reds to keep the Rebels back in their territory and close down the match with more penalties.

Player of the match: Nick Frisby – Frisby filled in for Ben Lucas excellently, and provided great ball for the backline. Frisby showed great pace to finish his own try as well.

Rebels:
Try: Mitchell
Con: O’Connor
Pens: O’Connor (2)

Reds:
Tries: Tapuai, Frisby
Cons: Cooper (2)
Pens: Cooper (3)