Melbourne Rebels 2011
- Thread starter Lee Grant
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James Buchanan
Trevor Allan (34)
Ash said:
I definitely agree with that.
Just thinking about it gives me fond memories of Patricio Noriega
James Buchanan
Trevor Allan (34)
Noddy said:
Saying Roff never produced for the Wallabies is a bit stiff.
S
Spook
Guest
Roff was better than Latham...but the QLDers won't agree. In fact, Latham couldn't get in the side when Roff was fit. 
T
TOCC
Guest
Spook said:Roff was better than Latham...but the QLDers won't agree. In fact, Latham couldn't get in the side when Roff was fit.
I thought Roff was fantastic in his last season, you cant really compare Roff and Latham though, they both peaked at different times
T
TOCC
Guest
SANZAR agreed to help Argentina find positions for there players in the Super14 squads, so that when Argentina get added to the 'four nations' that the majority of there players will be based in the SH meaning there will be no dramas with getting them released.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Scarfman,
There will be a lot of people who have concerns on the matter and for the right reasons; but it's only a transitional thing as Melbourne will have to be on a level playing field after a while.
I can't decide how long the transition should be. Perhaps 3 years. Not every foreigner should be around for that long. Some may be hired for just one year; I expect most will be hired for 2; a few will be for 3 years. My guess.
Or, if someone stays for just 1 year another foreigner could take his place for another 1 or 2 years if that position needs him for the 2nd or 3rd year. If not, the number of foreigners could reduce to 9 after one year and if a couple of other positions are treated the same they may be able to reduce the number to 7 for Year 2. After 2 years the number may be 5 and after 3 years, zero.
It may be 10 foreigners for 3 years, but I hope not. I hope that flexibility will be a target so that we get Aussies into the team ASAP.
3 years sounds like a long time but we need some time to accumulate players to stay here rather than go overseas. And if flexibility is targeted brand new Super15 players could be able to be slotted into the Melbourne professional Academy at the start of the calendar year in which an overseas player is due to leave.
It won't work perfectly, no way: there will be unfortunate overlaps, but by using common sense and good personnel planning we should be able to do the following fairly well:
1. Have foreigners help Melbourne in weak positions for 1 to 3 years
2. Get them to move on when a position is covered as well as could be expected
3. Not ask Aussies to hang around too long before they get a S15 gig
There will be a lot of people who have concerns on the matter and for the right reasons; but it's only a transitional thing as Melbourne will have to be on a level playing field after a while.
I can't decide how long the transition should be. Perhaps 3 years. Not every foreigner should be around for that long. Some may be hired for just one year; I expect most will be hired for 2; a few will be for 3 years. My guess.
Or, if someone stays for just 1 year another foreigner could take his place for another 1 or 2 years if that position needs him for the 2nd or 3rd year. If not, the number of foreigners could reduce to 9 after one year and if a couple of other positions are treated the same they may be able to reduce the number to 7 for Year 2. After 2 years the number may be 5 and after 3 years, zero.
It may be 10 foreigners for 3 years, but I hope not. I hope that flexibility will be a target so that we get Aussies into the team ASAP.
3 years sounds like a long time but we need some time to accumulate players to stay here rather than go overseas. And if flexibility is targeted brand new Super15 players could be able to be slotted into the Melbourne professional Academy at the start of the calendar year in which an overseas player is due to leave.
It won't work perfectly, no way: there will be unfortunate overlaps, but by using common sense and good personnel planning we should be able to do the following fairly well:
1. Have foreigners help Melbourne in weak positions for 1 to 3 years
2. Get them to move on when a position is covered as well as could be expected
3. Not ask Aussies to hang around too long before they get a S15 gig
M
Mojoman
Guest
The big question is, what kind of quality of "foreigners" will you get to play for Melb. Presumably they can make much more $$$$ playing in Japan or Europe if they're any good.
A few Kiwis maybe interested if they don't want to venture too far from home. Daniel Braid and Ezra Taylor spring to mind.
A few Kiwis maybe interested if they don't want to venture too far from home. Daniel Braid and Ezra Taylor spring to mind.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
That's always in the mix isn't it?
There is no answer to it except to say: let's see what happens. Many people put up arguments about why the Force wouldn't work, and although one existing Super12 team suffered more than anybody thought a single team would, the Force turned out OK. The use of foreigners should obviate the problem the Reds had in the transitional year.
In the years before we clamped down on foreigners we had a few visitors playing here, fellows like Andre Vos. This year is the first year we have allowed them back.
It's true that we couldn't match the pay packets they get overseas, but I imagine that there are a lot of people who would like to have a go in Super rugby once during their careers and wouldn't mind a brief sacrifice. Freddy Michalak played for the Sharks in the S14 and the Currie Cup. Maybe there will be a lot of 1 year deals instead of 2 and 3 year deals. Come to think of it: that will be better for flexibility and getting Aussies in soonest.
We could get a couple of current test players, though probably not until 2012, but in the main I expect they will be past their best, though still valuable at the S15 level. Braid is a good example. If we can get 4 or 5 players like him in the 10 we will be going OK. And with 14 months to go before the first game we have a bit of lead time to do so.
Putting aside the evolution of Super rugby for the minute: there will probably also be a few Argentines and Pacific Islanders who want to play in Europe for the big bucks but want a platform to show their wares. Super rugby would be perfect for the purpose.
PS If there are any Tuilagi brothers still at home, Melbourne should sign them up now.
There is no answer to it except to say: let's see what happens. Many people put up arguments about why the Force wouldn't work, and although one existing Super12 team suffered more than anybody thought a single team would, the Force turned out OK. The use of foreigners should obviate the problem the Reds had in the transitional year.
In the years before we clamped down on foreigners we had a few visitors playing here, fellows like Andre Vos. This year is the first year we have allowed them back.
It's true that we couldn't match the pay packets they get overseas, but I imagine that there are a lot of people who would like to have a go in Super rugby once during their careers and wouldn't mind a brief sacrifice. Freddy Michalak played for the Sharks in the S14 and the Currie Cup. Maybe there will be a lot of 1 year deals instead of 2 and 3 year deals. Come to think of it: that will be better for flexibility and getting Aussies in soonest.
We could get a couple of current test players, though probably not until 2012, but in the main I expect they will be past their best, though still valuable at the S15 level. Braid is a good example. If we can get 4 or 5 players like him in the 10 we will be going OK. And with 14 months to go before the first game we have a bit of lead time to do so.
Putting aside the evolution of Super rugby for the minute: there will probably also be a few Argentines and Pacific Islanders who want to play in Europe for the big bucks but want a platform to show their wares. Super rugby would be perfect for the purpose.
PS If there are any Tuilagi brothers still at home, Melbourne should sign them up now.
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