Kellaway sinks Waratahs to get Rebels off the mark, Crusaders bounce back

The Rebels claimed their first Super Rugby win of 2020 as replacement Andrew Kellaway claimed two decisive late tries to earn a 24-10 win over his former club, the Waratahs.

Kellaway, who came on in the first half when Reece Hodge picked up an injury, crossed twice in the final six minutes of a game played in driving rain at AAMI Park.

That enabled the Rebels to record a first triumph over the Waratahs since 2016 and get off the mark for the season following away defeats to the Sunwolves and Brumbies.

Rebels wing Marika Koroibete claimed the only try of the first period, after Matt Toomua and Will Harrison had exchanged penalties, but Harry Johnson-Holmes responded for the Tahs six minutes after the interval.

Harrison’s conversion briefly nudged the visitors ahead, but a Toomua penalty put the Rebels back in front and the fly-half split the posts again to make it 14-10 before Kellaway’s late scores.

FULL TIME | REBELS WIN!

Our boys take the W in the wet at the Stockade!

Final Score: Melbourne Rebels 24 – 10 NSW Waratahs#REBvWAR pic.twitter.com/wFx7aH7y8H

— Melbourne Rebels (@MelbourneRebels) February 14, 2020

In Friday’s other fixture, the Crusaders bounced back from their loss to the Chiefs with a convincing 25-8 win over the Blues at Eden Park.

All four tries in the contest were scored by All Blacks, with Patrick Tuipulotu’s early touchdown for the Blues offset by five-pointers from George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga and Jack Goodhue.

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