Saturday 25 April 2015 14:58, UK
The Waratahs held on for a scrappy 18-16 Super Rugby derby win over the committed Melbourne Rebels at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
The reigning champions looked in control after scoring 13 unanswered points in the opening 20 minutes, but wayward goalkicking by Bernard Foley and the Rebels' never-say-die attitude made for a gripping second-half duel.
The Waratahs outscored the visitors by three tries to one but fly-half Foley could manage only one penalty goal from five attempts as Jack Debreczeni kept the Rebels in the contest with three long range penalties and a conversion.
It was far from a convincing performance from the Waratahs, while the Rebels continue to prove a tough nut to crack after upsetting the Brumbies in Canberra last week.
Australia flanker Michael Hooper scored behind a driving maul after 11 minutes and the Waratahs were in again when Adam Ashley-Cooper finished off a lovely set play involving Kurtley Beale and Hooper in the 20th minute.
But the Rebels fought back to trail 13-3 at half-time and continued to unsettle the Waratahs' defence in the second half.
Debreczeni reduced arrears to 13-9 before Wallabies winger Rob Horne carried over three tacklers to squeeze inside the corner post in the 60th minute for an 18-9 lead.
However, the Rebels continued to press for their first win in Sydney and replacement back Bryce Hegarty finished off a flowing move with five minutes remaining after a midfield break by Mitch Inman.
Debreczeni's conversion had the Rebels trailing by two points with six minutes left as the Waratahs avoided conceding a kickable penalty in the dying stages.
Watch Reds v Hurricanes, live on Sky Sports 2, on Sunday 26 April at 6.50am.
