Author: Langthorne

The 2010 international season is over for the Wallabies, and thoughts inevitably turn to matters provincial. With additional matches to play, and with the top ranked team in each conference guaranteed a place in the finals, a plan for rotation (and a system for prioritising matches) will be very important for the 2011 Super Rugby season. As strong a squad as the Waratahs’ is, winning every match and playing the best XV every game is unrealistic. Playing players until they break, or when already broken (and then rushing them back into the fray before they are match-ready), would put unnecessary…

With the ARU dispensation allowing them to sign 10 foreigners for their inaugural season, the Melbourne Rebels have an opportunity to build a unique and exciting new team. I am not talking about grabbing a few unwanted New Zealanders or South Africans, I mean looking for players from as far and wide as possible, and it all makes sense from a playing, player development, supporter, finance, and sponsorship perspective. Recruitment has already begun, and many of the expected avenues have been exploited (Australians playing overseas, Current Australian Super 14 players, National Rugby League Players, and it is reasonable to expect…