The Melbourne Rebels have blown a chance to claim rare consecutive Super Rugby victories by conceding a late try to hand the Lions a 20-16 victory at AAMI Park.
Following last round’s win over the Western Force the Rebels looked like banking their first back-to-back wins since 2013 until a late defensive lapse allowed Lions centre Lionel Mapoe to cross in the 78th minute.
That gave the South African visitors an 18-16 lead, with Elton Jantjies converting for the final scoreline.
The Rebels were the better side for the bulk of the match and took a 13-3 lead into halftime.
The Lions drew first blood in the second half with five-eighth Marnitz Boshoff scoring after just four minutes.
Jantjies added the extras and then tied up the match at 13-13 with a 61st minute penalty.
It didn’t last long, with Rebels No.10 Mike Harris regaining the lead for his team with a penalty.
Playing his 50th Super match, sharp-shooter Harris was unusually off-target, missing three kicks that he normally would nailed.
Melbourne started with a flourish, completely dominating the first half in terms of territory and possession and they should have been further ahead.
Their 10-point lead came through tries by centre Mitch Inman and teenage Rebels debutant fullback Jonah Placid.
Those tries came while the Lions were a man down with lock Franco Mostert yellow-carded in the fourth minute for a deliberate foul when he came from off-side to knock the ball out of the hands of Rebels halfback Nic Stirzaker.
Inman used his brute strength to barrel across the line following a line-out while 19-year-old Placid ran on to a long Lopeti Timani ball which caught the Lions defence short out wide.