Leinster 14 Rebels 13:LEINSTER COACH Joe Schmidt will have viewed last night's victory at Donnybrook before a crowd of just over 3,000 spectators as a useful exercise, albeit that any continuity in the second half was fractured by the revolving door-like replacement of players on both sides: one or two were reintroduced on three occasions.
The Irish province gave playing opportunities to a raft of promising young players, some of whom acquitted themselves capably, while others like captain, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Jamie Hagan, Fionn Carr and newboy Mat Berquist all excelled and reinforced that they will challenge strongly for a jersey when the squad is at full strength.
Berquist settled in admirably at outhalf, mixing his game nicely, defending stoutly and kicking quite beautifully from the placed ball: the conversions for both Leinster tries were close to the touchline. Eamonn Sheridan, Brendan Macken and John Cooney have areas of their game they need to refine, principally decision -making but there’s no doubting the ability. Ian Madigan was typically courageous in contact.
The fluency of Leinster’s back play will improve as units gel in a competitive environment that can’t be replicated at training. The key for next week’s game against the Northampton Saints will be to guarantee a progression in game management.
Darren Hudson had a fine game and not just the manner in which he took his try; his option taking was for the most part intelligent. It was fitting that he should combine with Carr for Leinster’s second try, that ultimately decided the contest.
Number eight Leo Auva’a turned over Rebels’ ball inside the home side’s 22, Carr’s blistering acceleration took him past several players before linking with the supporting Berquist. The New Zealander floated a delightful long pass right into the stride pattern of Hudson and the winger set off for the line.
He didn’t just put his head down and hope, he invited in the cover and timed a couple of strong fends to perfection to squeeze over in the corner. Leinster’s other try came in the first half and again it was appropriate that Ruddock took the plaudits, a reward for a brilliant performance. Hagan gave the Leinster scrum an advantage when the set piece was a contest and Mark Flanagan and Auva’a had moments they will reflect on proudly.
The Melbourne Rebels, as befits a team on the third and final game of their tour, were the more cohesive side initially in keeping the ball for large tranches and were full value for their 8-0 lead through Stirling Mortlock’s penalty and a try from the elusive Richard Kingi.
The home side hit back with Ruddock’s converted try but coughed up a soft try in first half injury time to Rebels secondrow Hugh Pyle. Hudson’s finish was worthy of winning any match.
LEINSTER: I Madigan; D Hudson, B Macken, E Sheridan, F Carr; M Berquist, J Cooney; H van der Merwe, R Strauss, J Hagan; M Flanagan, D Toner, R Ruddock (capt), D Ryan, L Auva’a. Replacements: S Sykes for Flanagan half-time; A Conway for Madigan, D Gannon for Toner (54 mins); C Willis for Cooney, B Marshall for Auva’a, A Dundon for Strauss (60 mins); Madigan for Berquist, C Ruddock for Ryan, J McGrath for Hagan (69 mins); J O’Connell for van der Merwe, A Boyle for Hudson (74 mins); Ryan for Ruddock (78 mins); C O’Shea for Sheridan (81 mins).
MELBOURNE REBELS: R Kingi; M Inman, S Mortlock, L Johansson, C Vuna; J Hilgendorf, S Cordingley; N Henderson, H Tessman, G Sommerville (capt); H Pyle, L Jones, J Saffy, M Lipman, T Davidson. Replacements: EAholei for Henderson (14 mins); J Robinson for Davidson (35 mins); L Mitchell for Johansson half-time; P Betham for Inman (half-time); Davidson returns (end of Tessman’s yellow card) (43 mins); R Blake for Aholelei (50 mins); D Cipriani for Hilgendorf (54 mins); C Neville for Saffy (57 mins); Inman for Mortlock (57 mins); Saffy for Lipman (60 mins); L Weeks for Sommerville (60 mins); P Fou for Cordingley (61 mins); Johannsson for Vuna (71 mins); N Ah Wong for Davidson (73 mins); D Hardisty for Kingi (77 mins); Kingi for Mitchell (78 mins).
Referee: D Wilkinson (IRFU)
