2019 Super Rugby: Quade Cooper shines as Melbourne Rebels upset Brumbies in tryfest

Quade Cooper of the Rebels converts a try. Photo / Getty

The Rebels have opened their Super Rugby season with a 34-27 win over the Brumbies.

The victory - rated a slight upset by the bookmakers - saw the Rebels run in five tries to the Brumbies' four, with Quade Cooper putting in an acclaimed performance for the Rebels at first-five eighth.

Down 10-0 early, the Rebels came back to take a 19-15 lead, before the Brumbies responded to lead 22-19 at halftime.

However, with Cooper linking up with Will Genia in a resumption of their old partnership with the Wallabies and Reds, the Rebels went on a 15-0 run to ensure that a late try to Sam Carter was a mere consolation for the Brumbies.

Cooper spent last season playing club rugby after a stoush with Reds coach Brad Thorn, but the 70-test pivot made some key contributions on his Rebels debut, playing his part in several tries, and making a try-saving tackle on Tevita Kuridrani.

Former Wallabies fullback Greg Martin hailed the performance as the best he'd seen from an Australian playmaker in three years.

Below is how the action unfolded: