First 'Super Time' ends in a draw as Rebels and Reds split points
Rugby’s first "Super Time" ended in a draw as the Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds were forced to share the points in a 18-18 result at Brookvale Oval.
After a tryless first half both sides traded five-pointers before James O’Connor nearly lost the game for his side with a major blunder.
In the 68th minute, O’Connor threw a pass which landed in Billy Meakes’ breadbasket before the Rebels centre streaked away untouched for what appeared to be the match-winner.
The Reds looked to be dead and buried before O’Connor redeemed himself in a major way. He drew the defence left, broke a tackle then offloaded to Chris Feauia-Sautia, who threw an amazing pop pass for Alex Mafi to score next to the sticks.
O’Connor nailed the conversion after the siren to send the game into Super Time; one of the new concepts introduced in Super Rugby AU this year.
Matt Toomua tackles Brandon Paenga-Amosa.Credit:Getty
After five minutes each way, the deadlock could not be broken. The Reds had a chance to seal victory with a penalty kick on halfway but Bryce’s Hegarty's valiant attempt sailed just wide.
A number of scrum resets - the clock was not stopped during this period - and rushed kicks made for a scrambled final few minutes.
A reasonable crowd who braved cold and wet conditions on the northern beaches booed at full-time in what was an anti-climatic finish to a match that didn’t really deserve a winner.
In the stands were some familiar faces, including interim Rugby Australia chief executive Rob Clarke and his chairman, Hamish McLennan.
A slippery ball contributed to a few wonky and overthrown lineouts in the early exchanges, with nine throws not hitting their target.
Queensland's Fraser McReight is tackled.Credit:Getty
Matt Toomua was on the committee that helped formulate a number of law changes for Super Rugby AU and had clearly been thinking about potential loopholes when he tried to slot a 45-metre drop goal that came off the back of a goal-line drop out.
Even though it missed, the kick was a contender for highlight of a dull first 40 minutes. It was odd given the Rebels could have taken an easy three-pointer moments earlier but two penalties gave them a 6-0 lead at the break.
Toomua’s kicking game had opposition coaches worried before the competition, however he was guilty at times of booting the ball far too frequently and his kicks weren’t always the most accurate.
The Reds opened the scoring in the second half though courtesy of Filipo Daugunu, who was the beneficiary of a looping pass from O’Connor that may have been a tad forward.
They lost their lead shortly after when Manly boy Reece Hodge went over in the north-east corner of the ground to give his side a 11-8 lead. Most impressive, however, was Marika Koroibete’s crisp left-to-right pass from second receiver.
Usually only a few paces from the sideline at any one moment, Koroibete showed an extra dimension to his game that may give Dave Rennie some food for thought.
Rebels prop Pone Fa’amausili got the crowd excited with a 30-metre hit-up from a line drop-out that had former Wallaby and Fox Sports commentator Rod Kafer likening the carry to one from Penrith Panthers legend Martin Lang.