UPDATED: A masterclass from veteran playmaker Matt To’omua has seen the Melbourne Rebels register their maiden win of Super Rugby AU, accounting for the Waratahs 29-10 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday night to retain the Weary Dunlop Shield.
In what was an error-riddled performance, To’omua was one of a handful of players to show anything with both sides proving to be their own-worst enemies by constant basic errors and poor discipline.
The 30-year-old, who is in a fight with James O’Connor and Noah Lolesio to wear the Wallabies No.10 jersey, bagged 19 points and was a threat for the Rebels against the inexperienced Waratahs.
He started the match with a linebreak, combining with Cameron Orr to put the Rebels in command early and he landed his first of seven goals by slotting a penalty from out wide in the fourth minute.
His fifth penalty, to go along with two conversions, was enough to see the Rebels record their first win of the season, after a draw and narrow defeat to start the season.
The Waratahs gave away 17 penalties and had forwards Michael Hooper and Jed Holloway shown yellow cards in both halves.
Waratahs coach Rob Penney described the loss as "frustrating" and said his team didn't show up after last week's gut-wrenching 24-23 loss to the Brumbies last Saturday.
"I think we were out muscled and I think we were out-passioned today," Penney said.
"I don't know if the short turn-around had a bit of an effect, but we weren't there where we needed to be emotionally and the Rebels taught us a lesson and it's a great credit to them."
Marika Koroibete & Matt To'omua put on a masterclass as the Rebels proved too strong for the Tahs. #WARvREB #SuperRugbyAU
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) July 24, 2020
READ: https://t.co/R058eVjReG pic.twitter.com/ovwc6AO7Pg
Making matters worse, captain Rob Simmons suffered a broken rib in the first-half. The veteran lock wasn't sure whether the injury would keep him sidelined, but said that next week's bye would be an opportunity to "reset" after back to back defeats.
The victory saw the Rebels move ahead of the Waratahs on points differential.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels paid credit to his young forward pack.
"I'm very proud, in particular, of our young forwards," Wessels said.
"We had Cameron Orr starting debut, Trev Hosea starting debut, Jordy (Uelese) would only have a handful of caps, Pone's (Fa'amausili) only got three caps, Josh (Kemeny) has only got three caps and they played against a really experienced pack, so if I compare that to the Waratahs, (Tom) Roberson's got 50 something, (Michael) Hooper, (Rob) Simmons over 100, (Ned) Hanigan, (Jack) Dempsey over 50, so for a young pack that was probably the most pleasing thing for me. There's a lot of young backs going around the comp that are getting a lot of praise, but I'm proud of the forwards that are developing."
After To’omua gave the Rebels the early lead, winger Alex Newsome gave the Waratahs the lead by intercepting Reece Hodge as the Wallabies utility back attempted to find Marika Koroibete down the short side. Will Harrison’s conversion gave the Waratahs a 7-3 lead after as many minutes.
But another two penalties from To’omua saw the Rebels go ahead 9-7 after 15 minutes.
The Rebels were then pinged for not releasing midway through the first half and Harrison punished the visitors by banging over three points.
But that would prove to be the last piece of joy for the home side, who were their own worst enemies by continually wasting opportunities and showing terrible discipline.
Hooper was shown a yellow card in the 31st minute for being offside and To’omua gladly accepted the opportunity to see the Rebels take a 12-9 lead.
After repeated scrum penalties, Rebels halfback Ryan Louwrens picked out his opposite Mitch Short and barged his way over to score and see the Rebels to a 19-10 lead at half-time.
Needing a lift to the second half, neither side provided the game what it needed.
Captain and fullback Dane Haylett-Petty's non-return forced a backline reshuffle, as Andrew Deegan came on at fly-half, forcing To'omua to shift to inside centre, Billy Meakes one out and Reece Hodge to fullback.
Deegan was steady, but it was To'omua who remained the threat in the midfield. He sent Jermaine Ainsley through a lovely hole early in the second half and the Rebels managed to win a drop-kick for their linebreak.
But not for the first in the match, the Waratahs managed to secure a breakdown turnover immediately but couldn't make anything from the turnover.
In the end it was the boot of To'omua that provided the first points of the second half, knocking over his fifth penalty in the 71st minute to stretch the lead out to 12 points.
Wallabies flyer Marika Koroibete crossed in the 77th minute to make the victory more emphatic.
But it won’t be a game either team will look back fondly on.
RESULT
Waratahs 10
Tries: Newsome
Cons: Harrison
Pens: Harrison
Rebels 29
Tries: Louwrens, Koroibete
Cons: Toomua 2
Pens: Toomua 5
