Gareth Delve’s Melbourne Rebels proved they are going to be a handful for the British & Irish Lions as they notched their first win in six attempts against the Waratahs.
The Welsh international, who came off the bench after 58 minutes to help the Rebels claw their way back into the game. They meet the Lions in Melbourne on 25 June.
A week on from their historic first triumph over a South African province, the Stormers, they hit back at the death to beat the Waratahs 24-22 at AAMI Park to continue their amazing surge.
Trailing by three points with only five minutes left, the former whipping boys of Super Rugby staged an amazing fightback at the death to win the Weary Dunlop Shield for the first time.
Tom English celebrated his new three-deal with the Rebels with two tries, the second securing the famous victory. It was the Rebels’ fourth win of the season and will put them in great heart for their first game against the Lions on 25 June.
The home win also came without injured Wallabies Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Cooper Vuna. Jason Woodward scored 14 points, English grabbd his two tries and Bryce Hegarty was outstanding behind a heroic pack led by No 8 Scott Higginbotham
The Waratahs had the chance to win the game with the last kick of the match, but Brendan McKibbin pushed his penalty attempt from 25 metres out wide of the mark.
