Rebels claim win on home debut
The Melbourne Rebels remain undefeated in the Australian Rugby Championship after a thrilling 34-24 win over the East Coast Aces in their home debut at Olympic Park.
Thirty-eight-year-old prop Heamani Lavaka bagged an unlikely double for the Rebels, who scored five tries to four in greasy conditions in front of 4,785 fans.
Lavaka got his first from a Rebels forwards drive after 14 minutes and the home side went up 12-0 when former Wallaby lock Matt Cockbain sent skipper David Croft over after a loose lineout throw.
The home side went up 19-0 when fullback Nathan Trist crossed but their lead was cut to 19-5 by the break after the Aces' Andrew Walker pinched an intercept and ran 75m to touch down.
Aces winger Henari Veratau crossed soon after halftime to claw it back to 19-10 but Rebels halfback Luke Burgess continued an impressive performance by sending Peter Playford over soon after.
When Aces halfback Sam Batty was yellow-carded for dissent, the visitors were facing a 24-10 deficit with only 14 men.
The Rebels rammed home their advantage when man-of-the-match Lavaka barged over from a lineout for his second and the conversion opened up a 21-point lead.
Late tries to Veratau and replacement Quade Cooper got the Aces to within nine points before the Rebels secured it with a Jack Farrer penalty goal.
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