MELBOURNE, Australia: The Melbourne Rebels are set to play their first Super Rugby home match in more than a year.
The Rebels spent all of last season on the road due to COVID-19 restrictions, and were forced to leave Victoria state a month ago during the start of this season to escape a new virus outbreak.
They finished a month-long road trip Friday with a 10-7 win over the Western Force and now play the first of four home games on March 19 when they take on New South Wales.
Their last home game was March 7, 2020, when they beat South Africas Lion 37-17 when Super Rugby was still an international competition before the coronavirus stopped all overseas flights from coming to Australia.
This season, teams from Australia and New Zealand are playing domestic tournaments but will also play a five-round Trans-Tasman” competition between teams from the two countries, culminating in a final, in May and June.
On Friday, the Rebels played the final 11 minutes with 14 men after lock Ross…