The Rebels scored two second-half tries to beat the Brumbies 32-24 in Melbourne.
Jason Woodward was the Rebels' hero, contributing 27 points via a try, six penalties and two conversions.
While the first half was a dour affair, the game opened up after the break with the Rebels, in particular, stepping up a gear.
But it was the Brumbies who got off to a good start when Matt Toomua threw a long pass to Jesse Mogg, who took the outside gap before crossing over.
Woodward opened the Rebels' account with a penalty, before the Brumbies were awarded two penalties in quick succession. While it was within goal-kicking distance, they opted to kick for touch, but with no reward, and the next time they were awarded a penalty Nic White took the three points.
The Rebels finished the half stronger and after camping close to the Brumbies' tryline, they were cruelly denied an opportunity to score points when they opted to kick a penalty into touch just as the siren went to indicate half-time. But they did narrowed the gap to four points when Woodward added another penalty early in the second half.
The Brumbies were unlucky not to score when, after breaking through the Rebels defence, Toomua's pass to Kuridrani, in front of the hosts' tryline was knocked forward by Tamati Ellison. But they got their reward from the ensuing scrum when referee Jaco Peyper awarded a penalty try when the Rebels capitulated under great pressure.
The game changed on the hour mark thanks to a superb piece of individualism from Woodward. The fullback gathered a wayward Bryce Hegarty pass, just outside his 22, and shrugged off five tackles before scoring a stunning try. He slotted the conversion to give his side a 19-17 lead. The Rebels surged back on to the attack but Tom English lost the ball over the line.
The Brumbies were then reduced to 14 men when Scott Fardy was yellow-carded after going off his feet at a ruck and Woodward maintained his 100% goal-kicking record by adding another penalty. Three minutes later Mitch Inman found himself in space down the right-hand touchline before breaking infield, and after beating two defenders, he too got his name on to the scoresheet.
The Brumbies scored their third try, with five minutes to go, when Robbie Coleman got in under the posts after gathering a Toomua chip kick. But Woodward sealed the win for the Rebels with his sixth penalty.
Rebels – Tries: Jason Woodward, Mitch Inman. Conversions: Woodward (2). Penalties: Woodward (6).
Brumbies – Tries: Jesse Mogg, penalty try, Robbie Coleman. Conversions: Nic White (2), Matt Toomua. Penalty: White.
Rebels – 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Scott Higginbotham (c), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Colby Fainga'a, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Max Lahiff
Subs: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Paul Alo-Emilie, 18 Cruze Ah-Nau, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Sean McMahon, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Male Sa'u, 23 Angus Roberts.
Brumbies – 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Robbie Coleman, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen (c), 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Jordan Smiler, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 JP Smith
Subs: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Ruaidhri Murphy, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Conrad Hoffmann, 22 Andrew Smith, 23 Christian Leali'ifano.
Photo: Quin Rooney/Getty Images
