Lancaster magic powers Rebels to win over Highlanders
The Melbourne Rebels have produced an impressive 47-31 win over the Highlanders at AAMI Park.
Winger Darby Lancaster was the hero, scoring a hat-trick in the bonus-point victory.
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His first-half double gave the hosts a 28-10 lead at the break as they hunted for three straight wins.
The Highlanders refused to give up and went try for try with the Rebels as the game went down to the wire.
However, Lancaster's third sealed the win and the bonus point, leaping into the top four before their bye.
The Rebels have never played finals in a full competition but have a maiden series in sight after scoring seven tries to four at AAMI Park on Saturday night to book their third successive win.
Five-eighth Carter Gordon bagged two tries, his combination with South African halfback Ryan Louwrens key to the crucial win while Melbourne's pack continued to dominate.
Lancaster may have the luxury of choosing between the Wallabies and the Olympics if he continues his trajectory, with the 20-year-old a stand-out in just his third Super game.
The Kempsey product signed a two-year deal with the Rebels but has a clause that allows him to play sevens in the Paris Games if selected, having been a regular member of the national team before switching to the 15-player game.
He scored the opening and closing tries of the first half to set up a 26-10 lead heading into the break, showing off his explosive pace and skills.
Lancaster grubbered ahead, beating star Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens to the ball.
His second was equally impressive, bursting onto a tip-on pass from fullback Andrew Kellaway and racing to the line.
Melbourne's first-half haul included a penalty try when a pass to Lachie Anderson, who had a clear run to the line, was deliberately knocked-on by Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, who also got a yellow card.
Looking to break into the finals-bound top eight themselves, the Highlanders kept coming, halfback Folau Fakatava crossing in the 56th minute followed by Ricky Jackson 12 minutes later.
But Gordon's double, helped by the hard-running Kellaway and Louwrens, kept the Rebels on top.
Ethan de Groot scored for the Highlanders with six minutes remaining but Lancaster capped the win when he scooped up a loose ball and dashed 55 metres for his third of the night.
REBELS 47
Tries: Louwrens, Lancaster 3, Penalty Try, Gordon 2
Cons: Gordon 5/6
HIGHLANDERS 31
Tries: Withy, Fakatava, Jackson, de Groot
Cons: Gilbert 4/4
Pens: Gilbert 1/2
MELBOURNE REBELS v HIGHLANDERS TEAMS
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Tuaina Taii Tualima, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Kemeny, Maciu Nabolakasi, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Darby Lancaster, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Angelo Smith, Daniel Maiava, Jack Maunder, Matt Proctor, Nick Jooste
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Daniel Lienert-Brown, Henry Bell, Saula Ma'u, Oliver Haig, Pari Pari Parkinson, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon (c), Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Ajay Faleafaga, Jona Nareki, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Ricky Jackson, Ethan de Groot, Rohan Wingham, Hugo Plummer, Will Stodart, James Arscott, Matt Whaanga, Connor Garden-Bachop
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Dan Waenga, Mike Winter
