The Reds made the Rebels pay for some sloppy play when they beat them 23-13 in an error-strewn Super Rugby encounter in Melbourne on Friday.

Like most Australian derbies, the game struggled to reach any great heights - with a host of sloppy handling errors and some poor option taking turning it into a stop-start affair.

The Rebels were very fortunate to have a 13-10 lead at the half-time break - Lachie Mitchell being put over for a score by some sublime off-loading from James O'Connor right on the hooter to give the home team the lead for the first time in the game.

However, it took the Reds less than two minutes in the second half to regain the lead. Absolutely brilliant skills from the visitors - as off-loads from Digby Ioane to Anthony Faingaa, in turn got a great pass to Nick Frisby - for the scrumhalf to sprint over in the corner.

A crucial TMO call - when he turned over a penalty for foul play by Ged Robinson - allowed the Reds to get up-field, from where Quade Cooper eventually kicked a penalty that sealed the game.

More to follow...

Man of the match: Quade Cooper had his moments, even though he was still some way off his best. Loose forward Jake Schatz had some powerful surges, while Ben Tapuai always looked dangerous on attack - asking questions of the Rebels' defence. However, our award goes to young Reds flank Liam Gill, who left his mark on all aspects of the game - not to mention that crucial clearance kick when the Rebels looked to get back into the lead.

The scorers:

For the Melbourne Rebels:
Try: Mitchell
Con: O'Connor
Pens: O'Connor 2

For the Reds:
Tries: Tapuai, Frisby
Cons: Cooper 2
Pens: Cooper 3

Teams:

Melbourne Rebels: 15 Angus Roberts, 14 Richard Kingi, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Alex Rokobaro, 10 James O'Connor (captain), 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Jordy Reid, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 Rory Sidey, 22 Tom English.

Reds: 15 Jono Lance, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 3 James Slipper (captain), 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Mike Harris, 22 Chris Feauai-Sautia.

Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Ed Martin (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)