NRC: Rising maintain late charge to keep finals hopes alive

Sun, Sep 29, 2019, 6:00 AM
Emma Greenwood
by Emma Greenwood
Melbourne Rising are comfortable winners over Sydney at Forshaw Park, 40-26 the final score.

Melbourne have maintained their push for an NRC finals place with a 40-26 win over Sydney in a second consecutive dominant display.

The Rising did not win a game or even notch a bonus point in the first three rounds but are charging home and remain a finals chance after their second maximum-points effort in succession.

With a pack containing several Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby players, the Rising have been playing to their strengths at the set piece, but showed they also have flair out wide if given the space.

Sydney, meanwhile, are out of finals contention with just one win from five rounds in a disappointing campaign.

Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano on his way to scoring for the Rising. Photo: Getty images

The Rising signaled their intent to play through the forwards in the opening minutes, winning lineout ball from a penalty in the opening minutes and forming a rolling maul that led to a try for hooker Anaru Rangi.

Rangi had notched a double after 15 minutes, again planting the ball from the back of the maul as the Rising continued to push their advantage at the set piece.

An error from the restart gave Sydney their first real opportunity of the match though and they made the most of it with prop Shambeckler Vui driving over from a pick and drive move after a patient build-up.

While the Rising dictated terms with their set piece early, Justin Marsters showed some fancy footwork to cross for their third try after Melbourne played on quickly at the lineout, allowing the fullback to take off when he spied a gap.

Sooialo's third conversion of the match gave the Rising a 21-7 lead.

 

Sydney looked to have hit back when James Ramm looked to have scored before a desperate tackle from Rodney Iona caught the winger just short of the line and he was ruled to have lost the ball forward over the line - a decision that may have been harsh given the video replay.

Salt was rubbed into the wounds when Taylor Acheson scored seconds before the break off a long ball from Rodney Iona to give the visitors a 28-7 lead - and a bonus point - at halftime.

Sydney had to be first to score in the second half if they were any chance of mounting a fightback and they absorbed pressure well in the opening minutes before taking their chance close to the line, with halfback Mitch Short diving over after marshalling his troops through several phases.

But the Rising forwards continued their dominant march, this time through Rob Leota, who manufactured a try for Marsters with a break, popped pass, support play and try assist in one of the best individual efforts of the afternoon.

James Ramm's efforts for Sydney were frustrated by the Rising defence. Photo: Getty Images

Again, Sydney was thwarted just short of the line after Ben Marr was deemed to have taken out the corner post when diving for the line.

Again they were made to pay, with the Rising hitting back with a try to winger Ah-Mu Tuimalealiifano to give the visitors a 40-12 lead with 15 minutes remaining.

But a backline reshuffle paid off for Sydney, with Junior Wallabies Michael McDonald, Ben Donaldson and Will Harrison combining to spur their attack.

A professional foul from Marsters in the 69th minute led to his sin-binning and the home side ran in two quick tries, with only their own errors preventing them from pushing for a late draw in a frantic finish.

RESULT

Melbourne Rising 40

Tries: Rangi 2, Marsters 2, Acheson, Tuimalealiifano

Cons: Sooialo 5

Yellow card: Justin Marsters 69'

Sydney 26

Tries: Vui, Short, Abel, Marr

Cons: Harrison 3

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