The Tigers had led at every change in Saturday’s major semi-final on their home turf at Waratahs, but in the final term the Rebels wrestled momentum off the hosts.

Not only did they boot five majors, but they restricted the minor premiers to just a single behind. The win means the Rebels will host this year’s grand final.

“We just sort of managed to grind it out, we never fell too far behind. I think the boys just had belief, it’s belief we’ve had all season that as long as there’s still time on the clock, we can come back from anywhere,” Rebels co-coach Steve Grundy said.

“The last quarter we just clicked into another gear – we dug deep, it was gut-running. I just think we wanted it more out of the two teams at the end of the day.

“I was watching the clock and it was a mixture of emotions, I was overjoyed with happiness, but there’s much more to come obviously.”

In the opening term Grundy, who has watched on from the sidelines this year after having surgery in the pre-season, did not like what he saw.

Though his side was not far behind on the scoreboard – the Tigers leading by two at quarter-time – he felt the hosts were on top.

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But the Rebels remained in reach of the lead, trailing by nine points at three-quarter-time, then lifted in the final term to clinch the win.

“In the first quarter it just seemed like it wasn’t going to go our way. Orange were making the most of their opportunities, but it still felt all game we were matching them for intensity and around the contest, we just weren’t getting the rewards at times,” Grundy said.

“It was a bit of an arm-wrestle, a big game, but we ran it out the better of the two teams. It was very well deserved for the boys.”

Grundy was delighted with the effort of his entire squad as they handed the Tigers their fourth loss in three weeks. He said there were impressive performances across the field.

“It was a team performance, it was everyone playing their roles which really got us across the line. Obviously Bill Watterson kicked five goals, Sebastian Matheson returned to form in the ruck and was everywhere in that second half,” he said.

“Matt Luther was back in the team from last week and you just notice everyone seems to walk taller when Matty’s out there. He just controls things so well.

“I mean I could name everyone. Sam Kennedy was good, Matt Archer was bloody good, Andy James, Troy Robinson. It was just a fantastic team performance – even everyone off the bench played their role well and that’s been the attitude of the whole team this year. We are all reaping the rewards, that’s the culture we try to thrive on.”

The Rebels will meet the victor of this Saturday’s preliminary final between the Tigers and Bathurst Giants in the decider.