Rebels hold off Reds with 30-24 win at AAMI Park

Rebels 30-24 Reds, AAMI Park
Scorecard

Rebels maintained their position at the top of the Australian Conference as they went on to beat Reds 30-24 in their Super Rugby encounter at AAMI Park.

Bryce Hegarty kick-started the proceedings with a seventh-minute penalty goal but they suffered a setback when Samu Kerevi was sin-binned in the 16th minute for tackling Will Genia off the air.

From the resulting penalty, Rebels kicked to the corner and set up a rolling maul following which Marika Koroibete dotted down in the 18th minute for the opening try that was improved by Quade Cooper.

Hegarty with his second penalty in the 27th minute narrowed down the gap to one point but the Rebels went on to double their tally in the 32nd minute with a touchdown from Anaru Rangi.

As the break was approaching, Taniela Tupou offloaded to replacement Isaac Lucas as he crossed over in the 38th minute to take the scoreline to 14-11 but the visitors were reduced to 14-men temporarily with Scott Higginbotham yellow-carded.

Back to back tries from Tetera Faulkner (44') and Dane Haylett-Petty (51') stretched Rebels' lead to 24-11 but Harry Hoopert's 56th minute try meant the Reds were still in the game with the scoreline moving to 24-18.

The final quarter saw Reece Hodge and Hegarty trade two penalties apiece as Rebels went on to complete a 30-24 win.