English, Cooper stars in Rebels' 24-19 win over Highlanders

Rebels 24-19 Highlanders, AAMI Park
Scorecard

Tom English scored a double as Rebels edged out Highlanders with a 24-19 victory in their Super Rugby face-off at AAMI Park on Friday.

This is Rebels' second win of the season from as many games as they occupy the pole position in the Australian Conference while Highlanders are at second place in New Zealand table.

Shannon Frizell provided a head start for Highlanders when he grabbed a cross-kick to touchdown in the third minute for an unconverted try. The home side made a swift response when Dane Haylett-Petty set up English for his opening try in the 11th minute and Quade Cooper's conversion gave the home side a two-point lead.

The momentum once again swung towards the visitors with Siate Tokolahi going over the line but Cooper's brilliance saw him offload to Jack Maddocks in a gap for Rebels' second try in the 26th minute.

The third try for the Australian side came in the 30th minute when Bill Meakes' kick found English for his second try as the teams headed into the break with a 19-12 scoreline.

The producer turned try-scorer after the break with Meakes touching down in the 43rd minute to help Rebels attain a try bonus point to make it 24-12 but all the Highlanders managed in the second half was a 64th minute try from Jackson Hemopo and a conversion from Marty Banks as they succumbed to a five-point defeat.