Rebels have cause to celebrate, Waratahs hurt by Jaguares

The Rebels remain on course to make the Super Rugby finals for the first time in their history, though a resounding victory over the Sunwolves may have come at a cost.

Marika Koroibete and Jack Maddocks both crossed twice as the red-hot Rebels trounced their opponents 52-7 in Tokyo, their biggest ever away win moving them to within a point of Australian Conference leaders the Brumbies.

They next face the Waratahs – who lost to the Jaguares on Saturday – but may be without Will Genia for that contest, the Australia scrum-half forced off early in the second half with a head injury.

Unlike their upcoming opponents, Waratahs’ push to make the play-offs is in serious danger of falling short after they were beaten at home.

A try in each half from Ramiro Moyano helped Jaguares come out on top 23-15 in Sydney, as they claimed a second successive away victory to move up to second in the overall standings.

FULL TIME | The Melbourne Rebels get the bonus point win in Japan pic.twitter.com/WaphxDeuQ9

— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) May 25, 2019

The Crusaders remain the runaway leaders, however, after they made it 10 wins for the season by beating the Blues 19-11 in Christchurch.

Richie Mo’unga starred in the hard-fought victory, the fly-half kicking four penalties and also converting Bryn Hall’s try after producing a deft kick to set up his team-mate in the 20th minute.

Blues barely threatened outside of two Harry Plummer penalties until grabbing a late consolation try through Rieko Ioane.

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