Cape Town - The Melbourne Rebels have beaten the Brumbies in their Super Rugby encounter at the AAMI Park in Melbourne on Saturday.
As it happened: Rebels v Brumbies
The Melbourne Rebels won 19-17 after leading 13-12 at half-time.
The Rebels scored a single try through wing Sefanaia Naivalu in the 13th minute.
However, it was fullback Reece Hodge who helped the Melbourne team to victory - contributing 14 points - through a converion and four penalties.
The Brumbies replied with three tries through flank Jarrad Butler and a brace by wing Henry Speight. Wharenui Hawera kicked the only conversation for the visitors.
Despite the loss, the Brumbies remain on top of the Australian Conference, while the Rebels stay bottom of the log.
In next weekend's Round 9 action, the Brumbies travel to Napier to face the daunting Hurricanes (Friday, April 21 at 09:35 SA time), while the Rebels travel to Durban to play the Sharks (Saturday, April 22 at 19:30 SA time).
Teams:
Rebels
15 Reece Hodge, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker (captain), 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 James Hanson, 1 Fereti Sa’aga
Substitutes: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Tom Moloney, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Hugh Sinclair, 21 Mick Snowden, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Ben Volavola
Brumbies
15 Aidan Toua, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Andrew Smith, 11 Tom Banks, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Jarrad Butler, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Sam Carter (captain), 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Robbie Abel, 1 Scott Sio
Substitutes: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Tom Cusack, 22 De Wet Roos, 23 Jordan Jackson-Hope