Rebels thrashed by Blues in Super shocker

Sat, May 15, 2021, 11:45 AM
AAP
by AAP
Some Harlem Globetrotter stuff from the Blues at AAMI Park.

Melbourne have fallen to the Blues in their opening round Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash at AAMI Park.

It was Kevin Foote's game as interim Head Coach after stepping up following Dave Wessels' departure, but the home side could never get into the contest against a red-hot Blues side.

Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete's try-scoring drought continued with Melbourne failing to get across the line at AAMI Park as the Blues posted a thumping 50-3 victory.

Akira Ioane finishes a superb team try at AAMI Park

Blues No.8 Hoskins Sotutu scored two early second-half tries to effectively put the game out of the Rebels' reach by the 56th minute.

The match then opened up, with the Blues running rampant to finish with six tries, with replacement back Akira Ioane also finishing with a double.

Loosehead prop Karl Tu'inukuafe terrorised his opposite Cabous Eloff and the Rebels pack in the opening stanza, earning four scrum penalties.

Try of the year contender!

Dominating possession and territory, the visitors also forced errors in the Melbourne attack through their lightning line-speed.

Each side were unlucky not to score through the first half with an early effort by Bryce Heem called back for a Rieko Ioane knock-on.

Melbourne then missed a deserved penalty try when hooker Jordan Uelese's would-be score was illegally thwarted by Adrian Choat, who was yellow-carded.

The Blues took their chances and skipper Tom Robinson was ready and waiting for a long floating pass from five-eighth Otere Black to score right on halftime for a 17-3 lead.

Any hopes of a home side fightback was snuffed out by Sototu's early second-half efforts as the Blues iced an impressive display across the park.

REBELS 3

Pens: To'omua

BLUES 50

Tries: Robinson, Sotutu 2, Ioane 2, Lam

Pens: Black 2, Plummer

Pens: Sullivan, Black 3

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