Melbourne have opened their Tremendous Rugby pre-season marketing campaign with a disappointing 24-Zero loss to Fijian Drua.
The Rebels traveled to Fiji for the primary time however left empty-handed, unable to show a swag of possession into any factors.
Recruits, English lock Tim Cardall and hooker Alex Mafi, made their first look for the Rebels amongst plenty of acquainted faces equivalent to Nambian Take a look at flanker Richard Hardwick and Australia A halfback James Tuttle.
The match was performed over 4 quarters at Prince Charles Park in steamy circumstances, with an enormous house crowd turning out to help the Drua.
Each groups turned in a scrappy early exhibiting, scoreless by way of the opening two stanzas.
Fijian Drua lastly broke the impasse within the third quarter by way of lock Kitione Salawa with playmaker Tuidraki Samusamuvodre stretching the result in 12 factors.
Heavy rain then began to fall, additional impacting the dealing with, whereas the coaches used the trial to check completely different combos.
Former Fiji Sevens participant Iosefo Masi was subsequent to cross to the delight of native followers, with flanker Joseva Tamani including the ultimate five-pointer on the loss of life.
Regardless of the scoreline, Melbourne coach Kevin Foote mentioned they took loads from the sport.
“These circumstances are powerful – we now have by no means skilled in these circumstances,” Foote advised reporters.
“We are going to analyze the sport with and naturally, we have got a younger crew right here and we’re constructing.”
