Rebels record 36-14 comeback win over Cheetahs in Super Rugby
Last Updated: 26/04/16 10:52am
Melbourne Rebels produced a strong second-half performance to earn a thumping 36-14 comeback victory over the Cheetahs at AAMI Park.
Trailing 14-10 at half-time, the Rebels ran in three tries in the second period to overturn their deficit, with the 36 points they scored the most they have registered against a South African side in Super Rugby.
Reece Hodge (twice), Lopeti Timani, Jonah Placid and Tamati Ellison touched down for the Rebels as they moved top of the Australian Conference, while Torsten van Jaarsveld and Clayton Blommetjies scored converted tries for the Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs, who thrashed the Sunwolves 92-13 last weekend, started the better of the teams and opened the scoring midway through the half when hooker Van Jaarsveld crashed over at the back of a rolling maul.
But the Rebels hit back five minutes later when Hodge sliced through the defence and sprinted 35 metres to score out wide.
Cheetahs full-back Blommetjies put the visitors back in front when he crossed following some brilliant lead up work from winger Raymond Rhule.
But the visitors were rocked from the kick-off when the Rebels regathered and Lopeti Timani touched down 45 seconds after the restart.
From there it was all the Rebels as full-back Placid scored and Hodge grabbed his second, before inside centre Ellison, whose wife gave birth to his fourth child an hour before kick-off, took an intercept to secure the bonus point.