The Rebels host Moana Pasifika in Round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific in Melbourne on Saturday, a game between two sides who find wins hard to come by.
Rebels v Moana Pasifika, Saturday 30th April, Melbourne, KO 11:45 (South African time)
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistants: Jordan Way, James Palmer
TMO : Oli Kellett
Weather Forecast – Melbourne
Rebels:
The Rebels Super Round fixture was a tough one but they put in a good first half performance against the Crusaders, going into the break just 7-3 behind before running out of steam and eventually going down 42-17.
The Rebels had run the Queensland Reds pretty close prior to that, losing 36-32 after a late fightback came up short. The Rebels lost their first 5 matches before winning the next two, 42-27 at home to Fijian Drua and 22-21 away to the Force in Perth.
With 2 wins and 7 defeats against their name the Rebels come into this round fourth from bottom with 11 log points.
Moana Pasifika:
Moana Pasifika were due to take on the Force in the Super Round last week but the game was postponed due to a Covid outbreak in the Force camp.
Moana Pasfika's most recent action saw them beaten 45-12 by the Chiefs in Hamilton, scoring 2 tries and conceding 6 and they failed to stay with the handicap which was in the region of 28.5 points.
Their only win so far came in the first meeting with the Hurricanes, a huge upset with a “golden try” sealing victory after the scores were tied up at 19-19. After last week's postponement Moana now face Australian opposition for the first time.
Moana remain on just 4 log points and they are bottom of the standings with 1 win and 7 defeats against their name.
Team News (subject to change)
Rebels: Cameron Orr, James Hanson, Cabous Eloff, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Brad Wilkin, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells (c), James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, Ray Nu'u, Stacey Ili, Andrew Kellaway, Reece Hodge
Reserves: Efi Ma'afu, Matt Gibbon, Pone Fa'amausili, Josh Hill, Tamati Ioane, Joe Powell, Nick Jooste, George Worth
Moana Pasifika: Abraham Pole, Ray Niula, Sekope Kepu (c), Veikoso Poloniati, Sam Slade, Michael Curry, Alamanda Motuga, Henry Time-Stowers, Ereatara Enari, Christian Leali'ifano, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Henry Taefu, Levi Aumua, Tima Fainga'anuku, Danny Toala
Reserves: Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Londermuth, Joe 'Apikotoa, Sione Tu'ipulotu, Solomone Funaki, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Solomone Kata
The Betting Need to open an account? Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R2,000 here
Rebels -6.5 points at 9/10
Moana Pasifika +6.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I handicapped this game at Rebels as -8.5 an initial thought to hop on to the home team minus. I do think the Rebels were flattered by the Crusaders score last week though and have come to the conclusion that a rested Moana Pasifika side can push them all the way.
Bet: 3 Units, Moana Pasifika +6.5 at 19/20 at WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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