The Rebels got their pre-season training off to a flying start by beating the Waratahs 33-28 at the Albury Sports Ground.
The Melbourne side scored three tries in the third quarter to overtake the Waratahs, who welcomed back Kurtley Beale, after his stint last year with the Rebels.
The Rebels trailed 21-12 at half-time, with Waratahs halfback Brendan McKibbin opening the scoring.
The try of the half was set up by Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham, who took a quick tap from a penalty and kicked downfield. Halfback Ben Meehan won the 40m race to the ball to close the gap to two points.
Former Wallabies back-rower Stephen Hoiles then made it 19-12 with a try just before half-time.
Bryce Hegarty added another five-pointer, as the Rebels flyhalf stepped through the defence. Fullback Jason Woodward converted and then crossed for a try of his own to give his team the lead for the first time in the match.
Former Waratah Tom English scored his first try for the Rebels in the final quarter.
Another former Rebel, Peter Betham, crossed for a late try, which was converted by Bernard Foley.
Rebels – Tries: Mitch Inman, Ben Meehan, Bryce Hegarty, Jason Woodward, Tom English. Conversions: Woodward (3), Angus Roberts.
Waratahs – Tries: Brendan McKibbin, Matt Carraro, Stephen Hoiles, Pete Betham. Conversions: McKibbin (3), Bernard Foley.
Waratahs – 15 Ben Volavola, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Jono Lance, 11 Matt Carraro, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 8 Tala Gray, 7 Pat McCutcheon, 6 Stephen Hoiles, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Greg Peterson, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Jeremy Tilse.
Rebels (1st quarter) – 15 Tom Kingston, 14 Alex Rokobaro, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Joe Kamana, 10 Angus Roberts, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Higginbotham (c), 7 Jordy Reid, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Steve Foulau, 1 Max Lahiff.
Rebels (2nd quarter) – 15 Tom Kingston, 14 Alex Rokobaro, 13 Lachlan Mitchell, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Joe Kamana, 10 Angus Roberts, 9 Ben Meehan, 8 Scott Higginbotham (c), 7 Jordy Reid, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Cruze Ah-Nau, 2 Steve Foulau, 1 Eddie Aholelei.
Rebels (3rd quarter) – 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Lopeti Timani, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Colby Fainga'a, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.
Rebels (4th quarter) – 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Colby Fainga'a, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Paul Alo-Emile, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Toby Smith.
Photo: Colleen Petch/News Limited
