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The Hurricanes edged the Melbourne Rebels 45-47 in a Super Rugby warm up match held in Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
The Hurricanes also edged the Crusaders last weekend in Timaru when they came out on top 27-26 with a last minute try by second five eighth, Tim Bateman.
In an open and exciting first half, the Rebels scored five tries to the Hurricanes four and went in 33-28 ahead at the break.
It didn't take long for the hosts to get on the scoreboard, with new signing Rory Sidey intercepting a wayward pass in the Hurricanes half after just four minutes and sprinting 30m through to score under the posts, with James O'Connor adding the regulation two points.
After 8 minutes, the Rebels were over for a second time. Captain Gareth Delve forced his way across following great work from Hugh Pyle, and although James O'Connor pushed the conversion left from out wide, the Rebels nearly added to the score again in the 12th minute.
A clever break from Wallabies scrumhalf Nick Phipps saw him shrug off a high tackle and release Caderyn Neville into space. Neville threw a great pass to Alex Rokobaro on the right wing, but the young Fijian was bundled into touch just five metres short of the line.
However the Rebels' fierce attacking pressure couldn't be denied, with ex-Wellingtonian Ged Robinson crossing the line directly in front in the 14th minute following good work from Phipps, with O'Connor comfortably adding the extras.
Kurtley Beale dispelled any doubts that this was a 'friendly' game as he was crunched underneath a high ball taking a mark within his own 22, before a short quarter-time break was taken with the Rebels leading 20-0.
The break seemed to galvanise the Hurricanes, who got themselves into the game immediately upon resumption. James Broadhurst and Ray Leelo both scored for the visitors, and Andre Taylor had no trouble adding the points on both occasions.
But the Rebels hit back instantly, with fullback O'Connor over under the posts.
Beale, who was really pulling the strings and dictating the pace of the game in the 10 jersey, threw a sensational ball to release Sidey who in turn set up Mitch Inman as the Rebels looked to restore a double figure advantage. Just 2 phases later and they were over, with Inman and Sidey demonstrating a great partnership in the midfield.
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How ironic - Sidey discovers some form and scores.. Beiber, Mitch, Sidey - going to make Friday's match all the more interesting. Hope Will Tupou puts one of his big hits on Beiber early on.
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Originally Posted by Alison
