The Rebels scored four converted tries to beat the Reds 28-13 in Cairns on Saturday. 

In a match of little quality, the Reds opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a penalty by rugby league convert Duncan Paia'aua. With the hosts on attack again, Tom English ripped the ball off Karmichael Hunt to score at the other end for the Rebels. Former Reds utility back Mike Harris calmly converted, as the Rebels led by four at the interval.

The second half yielded a little more action than the first, with a try from Cruze Ah-Nau sandwiched between Beau Robinson's brace for the Reds. Worryingly for the 2011 Vodacom Super Rugby champs, they missed all their shots at goal, bar that earlier penalty.

The Reds, who can be particularly happy with the performance of scrumhalf Will Genia, conceded two more tries late in the match as the Rebels got their Super Rugby preparations off to a perfect start.

Reds – Tries: Beau Robinson (2). Penalty: Duncan Paia'aua.
Rebels – Tries: Tom English, Cruze Ah-Nau (2), Tom Sexton. Conversions: Mike Harris (3), Bryce Hegarty. 

Reds (squad) – Curtis Browning, Sef Faagase, Saia Fainga'a, Lolo Fakaosilea, Liam Gill, Michael Gunn, James Henson, James Horwill, Adam Korczyk, Marco Kotze, Pettowa Paraka, Beau Robinson, Jake Schatz, James Slipper (c), Sam Talakai. Tom Banks, Anthony Fainga'a, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Nick Frisby, Scott Gale, Will Genia, Karmichael Hunt, Sam Johnson, Samu Kerevi, Chris Kuridrani, Campbell Magnay, Duncan Paia'aua, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.

Rebels (squad) – Cruze Ah-Nau, Paul Alo-Emile, Luke Burgess, Cam Crawford, Steve Cummins, Jack Debreczeni, Tom English, Colby Fainga'a, Scott Fuglistaller, Mike Harris, Bryce Hegarty, Scott Higginbotham, Mitch Inman, Sam Jeffries, Luke Jones, Pat Leafa, Sean McMahon, Ben Meehan, Sefanaia Naivalu, Cadeyrn Neville, Jonah Placid, Jordy Reid, Tom Sexton, Dom Shipperley, Toby Smith, Nic Stirzaker, Telusa Veainu, Laurie Weeks.

Photo: Melbourne Rebels/Facebook