An ill-disciplined Swire Shipping Fijian Drua blew away a halftime lead and lost two players to red cards in the second spell as the Melbourne Rebels posted a 41-20 Round 7 Super Rugby Pacific victory at the AAMI Park tonight.
The Fijians started the match well and dominated the first spell, displaying good character and focus.
Fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula got the first points on the board with a penalty in the 8th minute after missing an earlier attempt.
The Drua went attacking from their own line, off a goal line drop out, and scrumhalf Frank Lomani scored the first try of the night in the 14th minute but Armstrong-Ravula missed the conversion.
Carter Gordon kicked a penalty to narrow the gap at 8-3 in the 19th minute before the visitors hit back and got their second try through inside centre Apisalome Vota with the conversion attempt missed.
Former Marist Brothers High School student Angelo Smith burrowed his way over the line for a crucial Rebels try in the 29th minute but the Drua were undeterred and continued to play their attacking style of rugby and were awarded with their third try as lock Leone Rotuisolia crossed the white chalk for a 20-8 lead.
Rotuisolia was shown a yellow just a minute before halftime for a high tackle on Gordon and the hosts took advantage of the opportunity and scored a try through Jordan Uelese as Drua led 20-15 at the break.
The second half saw a remarkable shift in Rebels approach to the game while the Drua wilted under pressure and indiscipline crept in their performance.
Glen Vaihu scored a great try in the corner after a looping ball from fly-half Gordon in the 42nd minute to put the Rebels ahead for the first time in the match.
Just two minutes later, Fijian Maciu Nabolakasi got over the line after another strong rolling maul as the Rebels grabbed a 29-20 lead.
Vaihu got his second try of the match in the 52nd minute after a bursting run from Taniela Tupou got the Rebels on the charge.
Down 34-20, things went from bad to worse for the Drua when Lomani was flashed a direct red card in the 58th minute for elbowing Josh Canham on the head.
Fijian flyer Filipo Daugunu who was earlier denied a try, made no mistake in the 69th minute as he used his strength well to cross the line for the final try of the match which was converted by Gordon.
The Fijian Drua were further reduced to 13 players in the 72nd minute after replacement Jone Koroiduadua was given a red card for head butt.
Despite having less numerical advantage, Drua tried hard in the remaining minutes of the match to pull out something constructive but the Rebels held their own and managed to come out victors.
Rebels (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angelo Smith, Maciu Nabolakasi, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Darby Lancaster, Nick Jooste.
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Daniel Maiava, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Matt Proctor, Mason Gordon.
Drua (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese.
Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Jone Koroiduadua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Waqa Nalaga, Taniela Rakuro.
