The Melbourne Rebels’ last-ditch win over the Highlanders typified coach Damien Hill’s ride at the Super Rugby club.
Only Hill’s ending isn’t quite so happy.
The Rebels started poorly against the Highlanders but stormed home to win 38-37 with rookie Bryce Hegarty scoring a try in the final seconds of the AAMI Park match.
Hill’s two years as head coach were also slow-burning but, in the back half of this season, the Rebels really began to live up to their promise.
They won three of their past five games, while also losing another four by six or less points.
It wasn’t enough to save the popular Hill, who has been replaced by Wallabies assistant Tony McGahan, or highly rated defensive coach John Muggleton.
“The last eight or nine games have been really good performances – so a slow start but a strong and exciting finish,” Hill said.
Unsure of his future apart from his intent to stay in coaching, Hill said he was disappointed he wouldn’t be around to reap the rewards of the work building the side.
They finished 2013 with five wins, improving on 2014 when they won four games, and three in their inaugural year.
“At the moment, the job is only half done and there’s a lot I think I can still contribute however it’s not to be,” Hill said.
“I’ve got to cop that and really encourage the supporters to get behind the new person in my role and push this team on to bigger and better things.
“You’ve got to give credit to the quality of this competition. It’s the toughest provincial competition in the world.
“We’ve improved our placing on the ladder in a city that’s not known for its rugby so there’s a lot to be proud of.”
Hill said he would miss the rollercoaster emotions of steering a team in the Super Rugby competition.
“The emotions you go through during a game – whilst the lows can be very low – and you really feel it. The highs can be absolutely ecstatic,” Hill said.
“You just look at the expression on the players’ faces when that whistle blew and those lows get forgotten.”
As well as Hill, the Rebels will lose Wallabies stars Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor, who haven’t been offered new deals.
Test halfback Nick Phipps (NSW) also played his last game as did skipper Gareth Delve (Japan), winger Cooper Vuna (Japan), prop Nic Henderson (retired) and hooker Ged Robinson (NZ).