Skipper rips Rebels' discipline after fiery Waratahs clash

Melbourne Rebels skipper Brad Wilkin has rued his side's lack of discipline after coughing up an early lead before eventually copping a bonus point loss to the NSW Waratahs.

The Rebels came out of the gates on fire with two tries in the first 14 minutes before the Waratahs roared back into the contest to run out 38-20 winners.

Wilkin labelled the loss "very disappointing" after his side was overrun in spectacular fashion.

READ MORE: All Blacks' 'greatest centre in history' dies

READ MORE: Difficult dilemma in OnlyFans star's racing return

READ MORE: O'Donnell's emotional changeroom moment with son

"We were in that game at the start and some poor discipline [cost us]. I put my hand up there, just not good enough," he told Stan Sport.

"We just lost all momentum and let them back in the game. The 'Tahs definitely put a lot of pressure on their rolling maul … but we just piggybacked them down there.

"If we had've been a bit smarter in the middle parts of the field [and] not given them opportunities, that probably would've resolved the issues."

Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific and Super W seasons on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand

The Rebels were hurt by two penalty tries, while Waratahs skipper Jake Gordon joined Mark Nawaquanitawase and Izaia Perese on the scoreboard.

"These are almost like double points this time of the year, especially against the Rebels who are pretty relative to us on the table," Gordon told Stan Sport.

https://twitter.com/StanSportRugby/status/1657336742859673607

"It was a little bit like last week at half time. We didn't start the game how we wanted to, but we fought back well. When they had a man in the bin, we really capitalised at that moment of the game.

"The defence is keeping us in the game and for large parts of the game we're defending.

"If we're defending well you get a little bit of spice on the end."

The Rebels will face the Highlanders in round 13, while the Waratahs will host the Fijian Drua, hoping to make it four consecutive wins.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!