WATCH: Vaiolini Ekuasi’s big hand off before scoring try in Rebels’ win over Reds

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Rebels number eight Vaiolini Ekuasi showed his class as he scored an important try in his team’s 40-34 victory over the Reds in their Super Rugby Pacific derby in Melbourne on Saturday.

With the score 21-14 in the Rebels’ favour, the former New Zealand U20 representative left his stamp on the match just before half-time as the home side took control of proceedings.

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The 21-year-old found himself in space out wide after gathering a pass from Monty Ioane just outside the Reds‘ 22. Ekuasi still had work to do but shrugged off a challenge from Isaac Henry with a powerful hand off before crossing for a his first Rebels try which gave his side a 26-14 lead at half-time.

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Earlier, the Reds raced into a 14-0 lead by the 17th minute after Josh Flook and Jordan Petaia crossed for tries which were both converted by James O’Connor.

The home side soaked up that early pressure and struck back via five-pointers from Ryan Louwrens, Josh Kemeny and Matt Gibbon, with Carter Gordon successfully converting all three scores, before Ekuasi extended their lead just before the break.

The second half saw the Reds upping the ante on attack and they regained the lead by the 54th minute courtesy of tries from Petaia, Ryan Smith and Josh Flook.

O’Connor’s conversion of Flook’s five-pointer gave the visitors a 31-26 lead but shortly afterwards the Rebels were back in front when Joe Pincus crossed the whitewash and Gordon added the extras.

That set up a tense finish and an O’Connor penalty in the 66th minute gave the Queenslanders the lead for the last time as the Rebels secured their victory shortly afterwards when Angelo Smith went over for a deserved try.

Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific

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