Woodward stars as Rebels stun Brumbies

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AN astonishing second-half charge and a record contribution by Jason Woodward piloted the Melbourne Rebels to a stunning upset of Super Rugby powerhouse ACT at AAMI Park.

Trailing 10-3 at half-time, Melbourne overwhelmed last season's finalist 32-24 in an unforgettable triumph against adversity.

Denied several first-choice players because of injury, the Rebels shocked the Australian conference leader with a mix of bruising physicality, unrelenting defence and attacking flair.

Fullback Woodward scored a try and drilled six penalties and two conversions to contribute 27 points, eclipsing Wallaby James O'Connor's previous club record of 24.

Centre Mitch Inman scored the home side's second try as Melbourne soaked up a late charge from the Brumbies to trigger jubilant scenes.

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Ending a three-match losing streak, the Rebels breathed vital life back into a stuttering season after losses to Western Force, Crusaders and the Waratahs.

"We knew we had to be really physical, that's the way we trained — and it paid off," Melbourne captain Scott Higginbotham said.

Rebels fullback Jason Woodward gets in the clear to score a try. Source: News Corp Australia

"We knew it would be a tough challenge and it's fantastic the way our guys played."

The Rebels' inconsistency cost Tony McGahan's team over the past three weeks and it looked like another case of dreaded deja vu when Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg scored a try after only three minutes.

But from that uncertain start, the Rebels began a slow build that reached a screaming crescendo by full-time.

"You've got to give the Rebels credit for the second half," Brumbies captain Ben Mowen said.

"They really stuck to their guns."

Melbourne owned the second stanza, outscoring the Brumbies 29-14.

Turnovers haunted the Rebels in first 40 minutes — but those troubled moments gradually vanished as Woodward, Inman, Tom English, Tamati Ellison, Bryce Hegarty, Nic Stirzaker, Male Sa'u and Luke Burgess threatened behind a heroic pack.

The forwards were tremendous — again — and no one worked harder than Luke Jones.

Having conceded a free kick from their own scrum feed, the Rebels were bullied into hasty retreat before Matt Toomua changed direction to put Jesse Mogg after only three minutes.

The Brumbies repeatedly attempted to pummel Melbourne with expert set piece manoeuvres as the Rebels' defensive intensity tried referee Jaco Peyper's patience.

Melbourne's hard-earned possession was often shed in anxiety as it faced a polished Brumbies' outfit.

The Rebels' two best attacking chances in the first half were lost with turnovers when they were deep in opposition territory.

And they were foiled in unfortunate circumstances for a third time when Bryce Hegarty kicked into touch after the half-time siren when the young flyhalf was unaware time was up and expected a lineout to follow.

Brumbies forward Scott Fardy tries to drag down Cruze Ah-Nau. Source: News Corp Australia

Peyper instead pointed to the changerooms, signifying half-time — and drawing the jeers of increasingly frustrated Melbourne supporters.

Melbourne coach Tony McGahan had words with Peyper at the break, further illustrating Rebel frustration.

Encouragingly, Melbourne's intensity meant the underdogs won the closing 10 minutes of the second half as Jones, Hugh Pyle, Scott Higginbotham and Scott Fuglistaller launched a string of searching runs.

It was a prelude of what was to follow despite the Brumbies edging to an 11-point lead before Woodward struck with penalties to pull Melbourne within five points — with 25 minutes remaining.

Sensing the Brumbies were fading, Melbourne drew level when the mercurial Woodward evaded four defenders to touch down.

Rebels centre Mitch Inman gets past a Jesse Mogg tackle to score a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Luke Burgess, substituting for impressive Nic Stirzaker, and Mitch Inman suddenly had the Brumbies on the back foot as Tom English charged over the line — but only after the ball had been knocked from his grasp by Mogg.

The Brumbies, always so disciplined and composed, continued to unravel when Scott Fardy was sin-binned for a ruck infringement as Melbourne continued to pour on the pressure.

Inman's try gave Melbourne valuable breathing space before a last-gasp effort from Robbie Coleman gave the Brumbies one last shot, which was professionally snuffed out by dogged Melbourne defence.

Woodward added a late penalty — his sixth — to seal victory for the Rebels.

MELBOURNE REBELS 32 (Mitch Inman, Jason Woodward tries Woodward 2 cons 6 pens) bt BRUMBIES 24 (1 penalty try) (Robbie Coleman, Jesse Mogg tries Nic White 2, Matt Toomua cons White pen) at AAMI Park. Referee: Jaco Peyper. Crowd: 10,726.

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