The Melbourne Rebels have beaten the Western Force 30-23 in the opening match of the Super Rugby season in Melbourne.
Winger Alfi Mafi scored a try in each half for the Perth-based Force, but the visitors were made to pay when they had two men sin-binned in the space of five minutes in the second half.
In a contest between two of the cellar-dwelling sides of 2012, the match failed to live up to spectacular heights, with both teams shaking off a lot of rust.
The ACT Brumbies host the Queensland Reds on Saturday night.
Meanwhile in their final pre-season match the Blues beat the Highlanders 31-29 in Queenstown.
