If there is a moment to encapsulate the insufferable season the Melbourne Rebels have endured, Sean McMahon's 72nd-minute exit on Saturday night was it.
With his Rebels down big against the barnstorming, unbeaten Canterbury Crusaders, McMahon was fighting out the game and looking to press for Wallabies selection in next month's Test series.
More Rugby Union Videos
- Video duration
- 01:30
Crusaders run over Rebels
Crusaders run over Rebels
The Crusaders extend their win streak to 13 with a win over the Rebels in Melbourne.
Up Next
Fa'agase: Samoa match a dream come true
- Video duration
- 00:32
- Video duration
- 00:32
Fa'agase: Samoa match a dream come true
Fa'agase: Samoa match a dream come true
Queensland Reds prop Sef Fa'agase says it's an honour to represent the Reds as they take on the Blues in Apia, Samoa .
Up Next
Brumbies consolidate top spot
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Brumbies consolidate top spot
Brumbies consolidate top spot
The ACT Brumbies have consolidated top spot on the Australian Conference with a comprehensive 39-15 victory over the Jaguares in the club's first ever trip to Buenos Aires.
Up Next
Sharks cruise to victory over the Stormers
- Video duration
- 01:27
- Video duration
- 01:27
Sharks cruise to victory over the Stormers
Sharks cruise to victory over the Stormers
The Sharks had little trouble gaining an advantage over the visiting Stormers as they cruised to a twelve point win.
Up Next
Hurricanes dominate the Bulls
- Video duration
- 01:29
- Video duration
- 01:29
Hurricanes dominate the Bulls
Hurricanes dominate the Bulls
The Hurricanes cruised to an easy victory over the Bulls.
Up Next
Brumbies come from behind in win over Kings
- Video duration
- 01:29
- Video duration
- 01:29
Brumbies come from behind in win over ...
Brumbies come from behind in win over Kings
The Brumbies managed to find a way to squeeze out a win after trailing the Kings for over an hour, before the breakthrough try from Aidan Toua.
Up Next
Stormers hit late to defeat Blues
- Video duration
- 01:29
- Video duration
- 01:29
Stormers hit late to defeat Blues
Stormers hit late to defeat Blues
Two late tries allowed the Stormers to squeak past the Blues in Cape Town.
Up Next
Highlanders win seventh in a row
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Highlanders win seventh in a row
Highlanders win seventh in a row
The Highlanders have won their seventh game in a row, beating the Bulls 17-10.
Crusaders run over Rebels
The Crusaders extend their win streak to 13 with a win over the Rebels in Melbourne.
Instead he went in for a tackle and had his arm painfully wrenched, coming up in serious pain and needing trainers to help him from the field.
After missing the first 10 games this season with ankle and knee injuries, this blow added insult and, of course, injury to the Rebels' 41-19 defeat.
It was later confirmed that McMahon had been taken to hospital with a dislocated wrist .Medical staff at AAMI Park were unable to put the joint back in at the ground, with fears the Wallaby had also broken his arm.
The Crusaders are the best team in Super Rugby and not even 10 changes to their starting 15 slowed them as they dominated the first half and cruised through the second at AAMI Park
The visitors dominated possession, passed the ball with abandon and then ran with purpose while the Rebels failed to hold the ball for meaningful periods. In the Rebels' extra defensive work they also missed 37 tackles, 24 of them in the first half.
A yellow card to Rebels star Reece Hodge at the 24-minute mark proved a decisive moment in the contest as the visitors took their 10-0 lead and added three tries to one during his absence.
Still the Rebels endured the flurry of tries and did their best to counterpunch with points of their own plus a little showtime to boot.
In the first half flanker Colby Fainga'a showed he has a few tricks in his passing wheel flicking a behind the back pass to winger Marika Koroibete who ran clear to score a try.
Then in the second half Amanaki Mafi provided Koroibete with his brace as the duo broke free down the left and Mafi dished a one-hand pass to the former NRL star who finished with the try.
Those two tries could help Koroibete make his case for international selection although the Rebels' defensive struggles could count against him too.
Rebels prop Toby Smith also scored a try, fair return for a player whose season was cut in half by a hamstring tear on the eve of the season. Hopefully his performances have done enough to earn Wallabies selection in June.
The only disappointment for the Crusaders was a lower leg injury to flanker Peter Samu in the opening minutes. He was later shown on crutches, and his replacement Jeb Brown scored two tries after his early entry to the game.
Crusaders fullback David Havili broke the line at midfield and found captain Sam Whitelock with the powerful lock bowling over Rebels captain Nic Stirzaker before passing off as Manasa Mataele scored the opening try.
After Hodge's yellow card, Brown scored in the corner and soon after centre Seta Tamanivalu punished a Rebels turnover with a try. Â Minutes later All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock's powerful run set up Brown for his brace and a 31-7 half-time lead.
Smith's try made it 31-14 two minutes into the second half but the Crusaders regained control of the contest as Havili and Mitchell Drummond scored tries either side of Koroibete's effort.
Emerging Rebels back Jonah Placid gave the side some runs in his second-half appearance but the Crusaders held strong to claim the win.
Supporters of both sides were held up at the gates of AAMI Park leading up to the game with security told to closely search all bags after the Manchester bombing last week. The long lines forced some supporters to miss the start of the game.
The Rebels play the ACT Brumbies in Canberra next Saturday night at 7.45pm.
0 comments
New User? Sign up