Brumbies 24
Melbourne showed they won't be Super 15 rugby easy-beats with a heart-stopping 25-24 win over the Brumbies at AAMI Park tonight.
Five-eighth Danny Cipriani, who was lucky even to be playing after a nightclub incident following their opening round loss to the Waratahs, was bad boy made good.
Cipriani nailed a penalty kick in the final minute to give Melbourne their first victory in the competition to make their embarrassing opening round 43-0 loss to NSW a distant memory.
They hit the lead 22-19 through the team's first ever try in the competition - fittingly scored by skipper Stirling Mortlock in the 72nd minute.
But then Brumbies' winger Henry Speight looked to have broken the home side's hearts with a try in the 75th minute until the late penalty.
Englishman Cipriani earned the honour of collecting Melbourne's first-ever Super Rugby points with a successful penalty strike in the 16th minute and the 14,000-strong crowd erupted.
He sent an earlier attempt wide at the 10 minute mark, with the Brumbies then taking an early 3-0 lead through the boot of their five-eighth Matt Giteau.
Giteau also had a hand in the opening try, coming just before halftime, when he touch-passed the ball on to fullback Pat McCabe, who dived across the line in the corner.
With Giteau adding the extras the Brumbies led 16-9 at the break.
Cipriani finished with six penalties from seven attempts plus his conversion for a 20 point haul.
His kicking game in general play was also a highlight, as was that of fullback Mark Gerrard, in his first game since returning from a playing stint in Japan.
Former league star Cooper Vuna looked much more at home on the wing than inside centre, where he played against NSW, and proved a constant danger for the Brumbies defence.
He threw a long pass back inside to Mortlock for the captain to cross for his memorable try.
The visitors had the bulk of possession and territory but were unable to convert their chances.
They let themselves down with some poor finishing while the Rebels defence, led by No.8 Gareth Delve, worked tirelessly.
