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Jack McGregor’s sheepish smile said it all.
The Western Force full-back was the most relieved man in Super Rugby after his sloppy kick to the touch almost cost a crucial 16-15 victory over the Melbourne rebels on Friday.
With time running out and the Force holding a one point lead, McGregor jumped to a halfback and attempted to sabotage Gilbert in touch.
But the desperate rebels charged the kick down and regained possession before launching a furious late raid on the Force’s try line.
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Reece Hodge full-back Reece Hodge finally threw in what would have been the winning goal, but the kick was as wide as McGregor’s post-game smile.
“Very happy, that was probably one of the dumbest things I not only saw but did on a rugby pitch at the end with the kick,” McGregor told Stan. Sport at AAMI Park.
“Just lucky to get away and win the game. So happy.
“Relief – a lot of stress on my shoulders there in the last few minutes when I handed the ball back to them after the whistle. Very happy that we got the win and a lot of relief now.”
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All Blacks legend Andrew Mehrtens was one of many rugby fans scratching his head after a fierce match that ended in such a wild and bizarre string of events.
“It was just one of those amazing moments and the crowd stood up because they had just seen the Rebels show the urgency that they maybe didn’t have throughout the game,” said Mehrtens said on Stan Sport.
“The emergency recovery in the last five minutes when they were holding the ball, phase after phase.
“Eventually turned around and the Force wanted to pull him out and unfortunately grabbed a charge. They really looked like they were in trouble to hold on there.
“They showed a lot of heart.”
The victory kept the Force final hopes alive as they battle the Rebels for third place.
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