Rebels ready for biggest challenge

[Burgs]

Rebels ready for biggest challenge

February 1, 2011

MELBOURNE prop Greg Somerville says his new side will face its biggest challenge against the Crusaders in its final Super rugby pre-season hitout.

The Rebels had two big trial wins over Tonga and then easily accounted for Fiji last Saturday night, but Somerville, who played 116 Super games for the Crusaders before a stint in England, said his former side would present a much tougher prospect on Saturday night at AAMI Park.

''Being realistic and without disrespecting the island teams, the Crusaders are one of the benchmark teams of the Super competition,'' said Somerville, who has also earned 66 Test caps with New Zealand. ''We're going to have to lift a heck of a lot.''

The Crusaders, who were beaten 42-15 by Queensland last Saturday, are set to play without their eight All Blacks, who only resumed training yesterday, including injured former league star Sonny Bill Williams.

But Somerville has too much respect for his old side to take them lightly.

''The whole environment there's pretty good so the guys who are youngsters who aren't All Blacks are pretty well skilled. They'll field a stronger side than last week when they had a few out with injury, it will take them to another level.''

AAP

[Little Ox]

Very much looking forward to this game! I will keep you all updated with the final score on saturday night.
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[Burgs]

In what shade of blue LOx?

[oxleymoron]

In what shade of blue LOx?

Navy - until the season starts, then ocean blue.
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[NTT]

just saw melbourne has Rodzilla ............ surely no-one can stop them.....

[Little Ox]

Correct big ox. Navy for the rebels game, ocean blue for every other, especially when the force play the rebels!
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[Little Ox]

Crusaders have just defeated rebels 19 - 14
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[Elf1]

Crusaders have just defeated rebels 19 - 14
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Tight Game LOx?

[Little Ox]

Tight Game LOx?

Very tight game Elf.

Great atmosphere at the stadium tonight with the local Melbourne rugby clubs having a 7's tournament to kick start the evenings festivities. Each side had great support which assisted them throughout the match.

The Rebels started off strong dominating posession for the first 15 minutes but were unable to convert due to amazing pressure from the Crusaders, who went on to score the first try of the match just before quarter time.

The second quarter proved to be harder for the Crusaders who were unable to convert any of the balls which they stole from the Rebels, they came close on many occasions, however the Rebels were always able to scramble back and through some miracle tackle the player into touch.

A crunching tackle from Mortlock onto one of the Crusaders caused a mini melee to break out which spurred the Rebels on for the rest of the second and third quarters and enabled them to gain the lead.
The final quarter was fairly even for the first 5 minutes before the Crusaders snuck across the line for a try and regained the lead. The Rebels has many opportunities in the last 10 minutes, particularly when a Crusader was sent off with 8 or so minutes to go, however they wasted a perfect opportunity on the wing with poor passing between numerous players.

Overall the scrum was fantastic to watch, with a great contest between the sides throughout the match. Somerville in my opinion was a standout.
I was also very impressed with Huxley, he seemed to be every where and was always going in for the hard tackles.
Cooper Vuna, Lachlan Mitchell, Gareth Delve and James Hilgendorf also had solid games, with Vuna and Mitchell definitely players to watch throughout the season.

Overall the first game at AAMI park was amazing! Great atmosphere throughout the afternoon firstly with the 7's and then the main match provided a great afternoon of rugby. There was a siginificant Crusaders contingent which came to support their team and a great turnout of Rebels supporters. Attendance was 13,000 with the vast majority in Rebels gear, hopefully this will continue to increase throughout the season!