Melbourne’s quest for their first Super Rugby win overseas continues, but they gained more respect after the fast-finishing Rebels were shaded 22-16 by two-time defending Super Rugby champions, the Chiefs,in Hamilton on Saturday.

The Rebels, whose offshore record now reads 0-14, paid a high price for some undisciplined early play, trailing 19-0 inside 25 minutes.

Five-eighth Gareth Anscombe booted four penalties and converted a try to lock Michael Fitzgerald.

The resurgent Rebels then scored the next 13 points and twice got within six points in the second half as they put on tremendous late pressure.

Fullback Jason Woodward missed a close range penalty in the 72nd minute and the Rebels twice eschewed kicks for goal in the last five minutes against a 14-man Chiefs side that had a man in the sin-bin.

However, nothing came of a lineout and then a tap, as a player was forced over the sideline on the first occasion and a knock-on ended the second opportunity.

It wasn’t a happy night for Rebels No.8 and captain Scott Higginbotham who gave away a number of penalties and was sin-binned in the 55th minute for a professional foul near his own line.

The Chiefs, who were coming off a three-match away stand that produced a loss to Western Force followed by two high-scoring draws in South Africa, paid Melbourne plenty of respect.

The normally free-flowing Chiefs played high percentage, territory-orientated rugby as the Rebels dug in and won much of their own ball.

Woodward triggered the comeback with two penalties to cut the deficit to 13 at halftime.

Within three minutes of the restart Japanese hooker Shonta Horie crashed over the line following a half break by winger by winger Tom English and a good pass from replacement halfback Luke Burgess.

Wallaby Burgess came on late in the first half after starting halfback Nic Stirzaker was injured.