Melbourne Rebels too strong for Sunwolves in Super Rugby
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 21/03/16 4:13pm
Japan's Sunwolves are still looking for their first Super Rugby win after going down to a 35-9 defeat against the Rebels in Tokyo.
The Rebels ran in four tries at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium to secure a bonus point, and managed to stop the Sunwolves scoring a try, even when they were reduced to 14 men late in the game.
Tusi Pisi gave the home side an early lead with the first of his three penalties, but the Rebels claimed the lead on 12 minutes when Jordy Reid pushed his way over in the corner.
Jack Debreczeni kicked two more penalties, with rain making flowing rugby tough, and the Rebels led 11-6 at the break after Pisi booted his second successful kick.
Pisi's third penalty made it 11-9, but the Sunwolves fell apart after conceding a second try to Ben Meehan in the 49th minute, Debreczeni making it 18-9 with a conversion from bang in front.
A rare piece of free-flowing rugby enabled Melbourne to score a third try, finished off in style by Tom English, and the Sunwolves were unable to mount a challenge when Lopeti Timani was sent to the sin-bin for the Rebels just after the hour.
And it was the Rebels who completed the scoring 10 minutes from time, just before they were restored to full strength, with captain Sean McMahon squeezing through a gap in the home defence to cross.
"Our team showed a real growing maturity to withstand the Sunwolves attacks and play for the full 80 minutes," said Rebels coach Tony McGahan.
"We go into every game as the underdog," Sunwolves head coach Mark Hammett added. "If we lose we always stay positive. The only time I won't be positive is when we don't bring character and attitude."
