Rebels hold off Force
The Fijian right-wing sealed the Rebels' win when he hurtled through two tackles off a Nic Stirzaker reverse pass to plant the ball one-handed over the tryline with 14 minutes left.
Naivalu scored his earlier try just after half-time to take his season tally to eight.
The Rebels outscored the Force by four tries to three and have a 6-6 record. But they are seven points behind the Brumbies and Waratahs in the Australian conference, with little hope of forcing their way into the end-of-season play-offs.
The Rebels have now won four of their six home games against the Perth-based Force.
Melbourne led 10-8 at half-time after a try from Reece Hodge, but lost back Mike Harris – a Wallabies squad member – with a hamstring injury early in the half.
Naivalu's two tries and another by lock Lopeti Timani brought the Rebels a 27-15 lead with 14 minutes left.
But the Force gave themselves a chance with winger Luke Morahan's second try when eight minutes remained, only for the Rebels to hold on to their win.
The loss was Force's 11th of the season, putting further pressure on embattled coach Michael Foley.
Man of the match: Quite a few players put up their hand for this award, however, Jordy Reid, who was outstanding in open play and in the physical exchanges, deserves the plaudits.
The scorers:
For Melbourne Rebels:
Tries: Hodge, Naivalu 2, Timani
Cons: Hodge, Debreczeni
Pen: Hodge
For Western Force:
Tries: Morahan 2, Scoble
Cons: Grant 2
Pen: Grant
Teams:
Rebels: 15 Jack Debreczeni, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Tom English, 10 Mike Harris, 9 Nic Stirzaker (captain), 8 Colby Fainga'a, 7 Jordy Reid, 6 Sean McMahon, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Toby Smith, 2 James Hanson, 1 Cruze Ah Nau
Replacements: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Tom Moloney, 18 Tim Metcher, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Adam Thomson, 21 Scott Fuglistaller, 22 Ben Meehan, 23 Jonah Placid.
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Marcel Brache, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Luke Morahan, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Brynard Stander, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Ross Haylett-Petty, 3 Guy Millar, 2 Harry Scoble, 1 Pek Cowan (captain).
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Francois Van Wyk, 18 Tetera Faulkner, 19 Rory Walton, 20 Angus Cottrell, 21 Ryan Louwrens, 22 Solomoni Rasolea ,23 Semisi Masirewa.
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
