As it happened: Rebels v Cheetahs

  REBELS 35-14 CHEETAHS

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Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert

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13:27 - PICTURE

WHERE DID THINGS GO WRONG? Philip van der Walt and Boom Prinsloo in deep discussion... (Getty Images)

12:47 - PICTURE

FINDING THE GOING TOUGH... Cheetahs centre Johann Sadie is tackled by Rebels captain and No 8 Scott Higginbotham (Getty Images)

12:42 - In next weekend's action, the Cheetahs travel up the Australian coast to take on the Reds in Brisbane, while the Rebels face the Force in Perth.

Be sure to keep following Sport24's interactive commentary all games involving South African teams in this year's Super Rugby competition.

12:39 - QUOTE

“We were every lethargic. We didn’t pitch up. We weren’t there, especially on attack. Shocking at ruck time, and couldn’t get any plays going, couldn’t get any continuity. But we'll regroup and come back a lot stronger," said Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss.

12:34 - SUMMARY

The Cheetahs no doubt have a lot to work on. A lack of urgency and intensity on defence, and some woeful handling were not what you'd expect from a Super Rugby outfit!

But well done to the Rebels. A new head coach in Tony McGahan and eight new faces clearly made a massive difference to this team!

12:33 - FANS' VIEWS ON CHEETAHS PERFORMANCE

They r average its just that they won against the Bulls cause the Bulls r not doing well these days after all our best players got overseas contracts but we will be back I know - Beeki Gift Phiri 

mmm...worrying about the SA teams this year. looking a bit scratchy - Wesley Green

Eish, Cheetahs were very disappointing, surprisingly excellent Rebels knocked them over like traffic cones. Hope the Bloem okes can learn from this and pick it up for next week's game - Shaun Davidson 

Can't believe that drostsky can keep his job all this time , with a 38% success rate. Toyota cheethas driven by a hilux with a yaris engine - Donovan Armstrong Armstrong

Based on the first few games, my pre-season prediction of the Sharks being the only SA team to pose a realistic challenge this year is looking more and more realistic. The Stormers (my team) were woeful last week, maybe they do better this week, but I am not holding out too much hope. The Bulls have been poor, and losing against the cheetahs, who looked decidedly underdone today, seems to be pointing in the wrong direction. If they lose to the ever improving Lions, which is a strong possibility, the Lions could be leading the Super 15 log after this weekend... Who could ever have predicted that? - Frans Visser

12:30 - RECORD FOR REBELS

This is the biggest ever win the Rebels have recorded since joining Super Rugby in 2011! Back to the drawing board for Adriaan Strauss and his charges...

12:29 - Roberts misses from the corner, but that's FULL-TIME: Melbourne Rebels 35-14 Cheetahs.

12:28 - TRY! No, not to the Cheetahs but to the hosts, who counter-attacked after yet another mistake by the Cheetahs. Skipper Higginbotham rounds off beautifully in the corner to complete the humiliation.

12:27 - The full-time siren sounds as the Cheetahs launch one final attack after winning the restart.

12:26 - PENALTY converted by Roberts. Rebels 30-14 with time almost up.

12:25 - Rebels win a penalty from the scrum and Roberts lines up from in front...

12:24 - TWEET

Good call by ref and TMO. Cheetahs first knock then off Higginbothams fingers. Good communication between tmo and ref - Brenden Nel

12:21 - From the ensuing kick-off, the Rebels launch an attack with left wing Tom English sprinting down the touchline. He cuts in-field and after a few passes the ball lands in the hands of lock Hugh Pyle, who dives over. Replays showed there was a knock on though and there's another scrum.

Scrum to the Rebels though as the Cheetahs were first to knock on...

12:20 - DROP GOAL from Roberts puts the game to bed. Rebels 27-14 Cheetahs after 76 minutes.

12:19 - Oh dear, yet another knock on from the Cheetahs gifts the Rebels an attacking scrum on the tryline. Hennie Daniller the culprit there.

12 handling errors is simply not good enough!

12:18 - He's just short on legs...

12:18 - Rebels replacement Angus Roberts attempting a long-range penalty attempt from close to the touchline.

12:15 - Goosen CONVERTS from the touchline. Rebels 24-14 Cheetahs after 71 minutes. Cheetahs in with a sniff now...

12:14 - TRY! Another dominant driving maul sees replacement hooker Ryno Barnes go over.

12:13 - Five-metre attacking lineout for Cheetahs after Goosen kicks it close to the Rebels line. A penalty was given for a high tackle on Johann Sadie.

12:11 - The Cheetahs have had some promising moments on attack, but poor passes or handling errors out wide have cost them too often today...

12:09 - ATTENDANCE

10 792 fans in at AAMI Park. This Rebels performance deserves more fans.

12:05 - But the Cheetahs look dead on their feet now. Jet-lag perhaps setting in...

12:05 - The Cheetahs defence holds out and they force a turnover on their own goal-line.

12:03 - Rebels back on the attack right from the ensuing kick-off.

12:02 - CONVERSION by Hegarty. Rebels 24-7 Cheetahs after 60 minutes.

12:00 - TRY! Bryce Hegarty scores after a terrific break in midfield from centre Tamati Ellison.

Cheetahs were stretched out wide. You wouldn't say they have a one-man advantage!

That's a bonus-point for the hosts!

11:58 - A break from Francois Venter brings Cheetahs up to Rebels 22 but they lose possession... Rebels kick down field to bring relief...

11:55 - PICTURE

Do you think Tony McGahan was happy with the Rebels' decision to turn down a shot at goal? Who'd be a coach! - FOX SPORTS Rugby

11:53 - The Cheetahs may have come out unscathed there, but it was silly from coach Naka Drotské to change his front row while they were so close defending on their own line... It nearly cost them!

11:52 - YELLOW CARD

Rebels No 7 Scott Fuglistaller is sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes for a punch. Cheetahs out of jail.

11:51 - Oh wait, there's some foul play!

11:50 - But a dominant scrum puts the Cheetahs under pressure and the Rebels attack again. Burgess goes over, but is held up. Five-metre attacking scrum for the hosts!

11:49 - The Rebels, who strangely opt for a four-man lineout, lose it and the chance to score.

11:47 - MORE CHEETAHS SUBS ON

Trevor Nyakane on for Caylib Oosthuizen

Ligtoring Landman on for Lood de Jager

11:47 - Rebels win a penalty after the Cheetahs transgress at the breakdown. But they give up an easy three points to go for touch...

11:45 - The Rebels are looking to hit right back. They're back in familiar territory - inside the Cheetahs 22m area...

11:45 - TWEET

Super Sarel also on the park very early in the second half ... Might not be right, but good call to get proactive from Naka. Need change - Front Row Grunt

11:43 - CHEETAHS REPLACEMENTS

Jean Cook on for Boom Prinsloo

Sarel Pretorius on for Shaun Venter

Hennie Daniller on for Raymond Rhule

11:42 - Goosen finally CONVERTS one. Rebels 17-7 after 45 minutes.

12:42 - PICTURE

Jean Cook scores immediately after making his appearance... (Getty Images)

11:42 - TRY! A dominant rolling maul from the Cheetahs and replacement loose forward Jean Cook barges over.

11:41 - They opt for a lineout instead. Clearly no confidence in Goosen's goal-kicking.

11:40 - A concerted period of attack sees the Cheetahs win a penalty 36m out, but right out if front.

11:39 - Good scrum! Cheetahs back attack up to Rebels 22m area...

11:38 - An early scrum for the Cheetahs on half-way. Time to assert their dominance right here, right now... or else...

11:36 - Woodward gets proceedings under way in the second half.

11:35 - QUOTE

"The Cheetahs have got to get more energy, they've got to be more assertive and cut down on their mistakes," says in-studio commentator Warren Brosnihan.

11:24 - Hegarty finally CONVERTS a kick and that's HALF-TIME: Rebels 17-0 Cheetahs

Two shocking penalty attempts by Goosen in this half. Scoreline could have looked completely different, but the Cheetahs need to up their intensity three-fold if they are to gain anything from this game.

11:22 - TRY! Scrumhalf Luke Burgess breaks on the blindside and dives over...

A move brilliantly finished after the Rebels launched another counter-attack following Goosen's penalty miss.

11:20 - Oh dear, he pulls it to the left again!

I think it's safe to say there's been some shocking goal-kicking in this first half. The Rebels counter...

11:19 - Rebels go off-side at the ensuing lineout which gives Goosen another chance at goal. This one is about 40m out... But in front...

11:18 - Relief for the Cheetahs as they win a scrum penalty on their own 22m line. Goosen brings relief, kicks down field...

11:15 - TWEET

Rebels certainly looking fit quick and clever. Got to admire what Aussies do with meagre resources - Dan Retief

11:14 - 31 minutes gone and the Rebels are camping inside the Cheetahs half. Complete dominance at present!

11:13 - PICTURE

Scott Higginbotham - he's a No 8 but he gets 10 out of 10 for this kick to set up a @MelbourneRebels try! - FOX SPORTS Rugby

11:09 - Rebels wing Lachlan Mitchell oh-so-close when chasing his kick through in the Cheetahs in-goal area, but the dead-ball line wins!

11:08 - Flyhalf Bryce Hegarty now lines up from about 40m out. But he also misses badly, pulls it to the left.

11:07 - Another penalty for Rebels when Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen goes high in a tackle!

11:06 - TWEET

Only one side on the park at the moment and its the home side - Brenden Nel

11:02 - TRY! Incredible vision from Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham who puts in a cross-kick and Jason Woodward catches it to score in the corner. Rebels 10-0 Cheetahs after 22 minutes.

The captain again opted not to take three three points and caught the Cheetahs defence, most notably Rhule, asleep out wide. Cheetahs need to wake up from their slumber.

11:02 - Rebels pile more pressure inside Cheetahs 22m area.. Another penalty!

11:00 - The opportunity goes begging when scrumhalf Luke Burgess is tackled out. Cheetahs can breathe. An opportunity at goal was on there for the hosts!

10:58 - The Rebels, on attack close to Cheetahs goal-line, win a penalty close to the touchline but opt to go for the lineout.

10:58 - TWEET

refs need to take control of the breakdown, week 3 and it's still very much a free for all! - Alan Zondagh

10:56 - Goal-kicking continues to prove a problem for the Cheetah. It also cost them badly against the Lions a few weeks ago!

10:54 - SHOCKER! Goosen misses from almost right in front... He pulled it badly to the left!

10:54 - First chance at points for the Cheetahs as they win a penalty just outside the Rebels 22m area. Goosen lines up an easy kick...

10:52 - Francois Venter has limped off for the Cheetahs, who look a bit shell-shocked early on here...

10:51 - Fortunately for the Cheetahs, Woodward misses an easy attempt from just left of the uprights...

10:50 - Another attack from inside their own half sees the Rebels move up to the Cheetahs line and they force a penalty...

10:48 - Cheetahs look to hit right back as they launch a promising backline move, but unfortunately Raymond Rhule knocks it on just outside the Rebels 22m area... The Rebels counter...

10:47 - Conversion missed from the corner by Jason Woodward.

10:45 - TRY! Right wing Lachlan Mitchell goes over in the corner for the Rebels.

A brilliant team try after the hosts took the ball through several phases having launched a counter-attack from inside their own half.

10:44 - The Rebels had a solid first scrum, despite being a bit on the light side...

10:43 - PACK WEIGHTS

Rebels - 879kg

Cheetahs - 909 kg

10:41 - An early attacking opportunity for the Cheetahs inside the Rebels 22m area, but Francois Venter knocks it on... First scrum coming up

10:41 - PICTURE

The view from the media box at kick-off - Alistair Hogg

10:41 - Johan Goosen gets proceedings things underway...

10:39 - Adriaan Struass leads out the men from Bloemfontein. They are clad in their predominantly orange away strip.

10:38 - CONDITIONS

Fine conditions in Melbourne, 18 Degrees Celsius, with not much wind.

Conditions conducive for running rugby!

10:35 - PICTURE

Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss and Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels)

10:31 - RESULT

Blues 35-24 Crusaders

Somewhat of an upset in the day's first game with the unpredictable Blues turning it on at Eden Park!

CLICK HERE for a full match report.

10:00 - This game is slightly tough to predict, especially with the Rebels yet to feature in the competition this year.

The Cheetahs were poor in their first game at home against the Lions, but bounced back well by beating the Bulls last week.

The Rebels are a bit of an unknown quantity this season with a new head coach in Tony McGahan and eight new faces in their 23-man squad.

They also impressed in pre-season, beating the Reds, Waratahs and Hurricanes, but have never beaten the Cheetahs before and generally struggle against South African opposition. Their win over the Stormers last year was their first ever win over a South African team since joining Super Rugby in 2011.

But my gut says the Cheetahs will be a bit too strong up front...

10:00 - CHALLENGE THE SPORT24 'EXPERTS'

If you haven't already joined the Sport24 SuperBru Super Rugby challenge, do so NOW!

10:00 - SUPERBRU WEEK 3 PICKS

Have you made your Week 3 picks?

Click HERE for some help...

10:00 - WATCH THOSE NO 9s!

Sanzar has sent a stern message to referees - to ensure scrumhalves feed the ball correctly into the scrum.

Click HERE to read the full article...

OFFICIALS

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Matt O'Brien (Australia), Michael Hogan (Australia)
TMO: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)

RECENT RESULTS

2013: Cheetahs won 34-16, Bloemfontein
2012: Cheetahs won 33-26, Melbourne
2011: Cheetahs won 41-21, Bloemfontein

TEAMS:

Melbourne Rebels

15 Jason Woodward, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Higginbotham (captain), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith

Substitutes:16 Steve Fualau, 17 Max Lahiff, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Colby Fainga'a, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Angus Roberts, 23 Tom Kingston

Cheetahs

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Shaun Venter 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagné, 6 Boom Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen

Substitutes:16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Rynard Landman, 20 Jean Cook, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Rayno Benjamin

Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on today's Super Rugby match between the Rebels and Cheetahs from Melbourne!