The Rebels ended a three-game losing streak in Super Rugby on Sunday as they beat the Force 27-22 in an Australian derby at AAMI Park.

Scores from Reece Hodge, Sefa Naivalu (2) and Lopeti Timani saw them to the four points that is a perfect tonic going into the June break.

The Force crossed three times, through Luke Morahan (2) and Harry Scoble, as they remain rooted to the foot of the Australian conference.

Michael Foley’s men have won just twice this season and are on 12 points, with the Kings and Sunwolves the only teams below them on nine.

The Rebels began strongly and crossed after 12 minutes when a lovely dummy and break from Mike Harris led to him feeding Hodge who scored. However that try would be marred by an injury for Wallaby call-up Harris, who is now unlikely to play in the upcoming June internationals.

Seven points down the Force took little time in bouncing back and were over four minutes later through Morahan, the wing showing his class down the left sideline with a grubber and regather en route to scoring. That came a minute after a Peter Grant penalty so it was now 7-8.

There weren’t many scoring opportunities for either side in the second quarter of the game as only a Hodge penalty was carded, meaning the Rebels went into the dressing room 10-8 in front. Remember they were looking to end a disappointing spell of results going into the break.