The Melbourne Rebels kept their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive with a “crucial” 43-33 win over Moana Pasifika at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday.
Fine Inisi’s late double put Moana within striking distance of an unlikely comeback victory before Monty Ioane scored after 80 minutes to seal four points for the Rebels.
The win lifted Melbourne (3-6) to ninth on the ladder and into the hunt for a top eight playoff berth.
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“Crucial. Disappointing we let the bonus point slip there but credit to Moana, they came back at us and were fighting all the way,” Rebels captain Brad Wilkin said.
“It was a tough game in the end.”
The Rebels will now reset for a May 7 home game against the Australian pacesetting Brumbies, who are smarting from Friday’s tight loss to the Hurricanes.
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“Bring it on. Excited to go back home, Sunday afternoon footy so let’s go,” Wilkin said.
Winless Moana, meanwhile, appear destined for the wooden spoon.
The Rebels led 26-5 at halftime before Moana’s comeback.
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Hooker Alex Mafi grabbed a double for the Rebels, whose other try-scorers were Lachie Anderson, Josh Kemeny, Carter Gordon, David Feliuai and Ioane.
Neria Fomai, Levi Aumua and Solomone Funaki were Moana’s try-scorers before Inisi’s brace.
“We actually started the game well but we still left a lot of points out there,” Rebels coach Kevin Foote said.
“Unfortunately lost the bonus point but really happy that we got the win. We haven’t won in New Zealand for a while, and away, so that was a good effort from the boys.”
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