Melbourne Rebels 2011

[Lee Grant]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

Scarfman

Beau Robinson has been in Australia for some time and has played for the Rats in the Shute Shield since round one.

I saw him on TV in one match of the day and at Manly Oval when they played the local derby with the Blue Filth. They have him playing 6 because Michael Lipman, who played for England, is back at the club and playing 7. He played OK in the two games I saw except for running too upright with the ball, but he didn't compare to Lipman.

[Edit: remainder of post updated below]

 

[topo]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

I watched Rodzilla play a couple of games for Bayonne and he was just awful. His scrummaging was poor and he could hardly keep up around the park. Looked to me like he had seriously regressed.

+1

and I have watched him in more than a couple of games.

+2
and I don't think he was ever much of a scrummager, even when he was playing for Aus.

 

[Jets]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

I am very excited for Tessman. He is a Hooker who plays LHP due to James Hanson playing at Uni too. He has really trimmed down a lot of the excess fat he has carried in the past since joining the Reds Expanded Training Squad. I haven't caught any Uni Prems games this season but from what I hear he has been in very good form. I think he would excel in a pro environment.

He also had the privilege of playing in the same team as me when he first moved up to Grades something I am sure he will cherish forever. He has improved dramatically from then.

 

[Scarfman]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

Lee, that side looks good except for the loose forwards. All the more reason to grab Beau.

 

[tranquility]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

Surely Saffy is more of a 7?

 

[RugbyFuture]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

You know, enforcer, you could get on the bandwagon first by changing your username.

Lindo: I won't rest until Beau is back in Aus. I'm doing everything I can. Which, as it happens, is fuck all.

how would i do that?

it's not really bandwagoning, i've never lived anywhere but melbourne in my life.

en_rebels_er doesnt quite have the same zing..... :lmao:

 

[en_force_er]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

Surely Saffy is more of a 7?

Agreed.

I know nothing of this man but I just can't see a fellow who has taken a couple of years off union being good enough at the breakdown and running neat enough lines off the set piece to be a good 7. Maybe after a season or so.

In the meantime get Beau! Not Lipman.

 

[en_force_er]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

You know, enforcer, you could get on the bandwagon first by changing your username.

Lindo: I won't rest until Beau is back in Aus. I'm doing everything I can. Which, as it happens, is fuck all.

how would i do that?

it's not really bandwagoning, i've never lived anywhere but melbourne in my life.

en_rebels_er doesnt quite have the same zing..... :lmao:

How about "the_rebellion" or "the man formerly known as the en_force_er".

 

[DPK]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

What about "rebel_er"?

 

[the gambler]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

Apparently Lipman has been cleared by the ARU and has signed. Solves the 7 problem quite nicely if he regains his best form.

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

Surely Saffy is more of a 7?

I don't think so. I can't remember where he played at Joeys but it doesn't mean a lot anyway. Historically their forwards are blue heeler non-giants and play anywhere.

I see 7 as a specialist position and if Saffy had any credentials to play there they are not valid so may years later. I've seen him a lot for my Dragons team and he looks like a union 6, though if he could play at 7 you could never know in rugby league.

On Michael Lipman and Beau Robinson: there is no comparison - Lipman is the superior player. Not only has he played for England but also seeing them both play for the Rats in two games you can see why one has played international rugby and the other can't get a Super gig. To be fair Beau has had to play 6 with Lipman back at the club but you can take that into account in making and assessment of their ability.

 

[tranquility]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

It is a good sign that not only has Saffy played Australian schoolboys, but the fact that he is South African and only came when he was 15 is even more promising. It means that he has played Union his whole life, and this is the game he developed his instincts in. In a major sense he is a Rugby player running around playing league, he has already made the transition now he is just coming home with a new bag of tricks.

He is also quite tall (190cm) , which will be handy for his role as a dogsbody as he re-finds his feet. I'd say he will also naturally put on some weight with some union conditioning.

 

[topo]

Re: Rebels deadline ends, update here on what you hear.

Surely Saffy is more of a 7?

I don't think so. I can't remember where he played at Joeys but it doesn't mean a lot anyway. Historically their forwards are blue heeler non-giants and play anywhere.

He played prop in year 11 but went to 8 in year 12. I agree with Lee, from what I have seen of him he is a 6. Just tell him to go and create havoc with and without the ball. I could see him being a Rocky style player.

 

[MrTimms]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Huxley has signed....

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, 19 May 2010

New World for Brave Huxley

Melbourne Rebels announced today that inspirational fullback, Julian Huxley, is the 19th signing to its Super squad.

Two months ago, and two years after having a brain tumour removed, Huxley astonished the rugby world with his courageous return to the Brumbies side in a game that saw him inspire his team mates to victory.

Now the 30 year old, in the best shape of his career, is ready for fresh challenges with the move to Melbourne for the expanded Super competition in 2011.

"I’ve had amazing support from the Brumbies and the rugby community in Canberra, particularly over the last two years, and now need to start a new chapter in my life. It’s very rare to get the opportunity to be a part of a start-up, to help build the foundations of a club. I am extremely fortunate to have this chance." Huxley said.

"I have enormous respect for Rod Macqueen and look forward to helping him deliver on his determination to do things differently with the Melbourne Rebels. I must say I have a more holistic approach to life through my recent experience and I expect Melbourne to offer as much off the field as on."

In commenting on the signing of the 9-capped Wallaby, Coaching Director Rod Macqueen said, "Julian has shown great form since his return. He brings with him a fantastic attitude to life and the game we can all learn from. He is an intelligent player who will make a significant contribution to the Rebels."

Julian Huxley Super Rugby Career
2002-2003 ACT Brumbies
2003-2006 Queensland Reds (Awarded Pilecki Medal as Reds Players’ Player 2003)
2007-2010 ACT Brumbies

Honours
1998 Australian Under 19s
2000 Australian Under 21s
2001 Australian Sevens
2005 Australia A
2007 Australian Wallabies (9 caps)

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

beat me to it!

Interesting signing.

 

[MrTimms]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Maybe they figured they aren't going to get the 10 they need, so signed a FB, with the plan to move Cipriani to flyhalf?

 

[AussieDominance]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Or maybe they just want someone the calibre of Huxley :thumb

 

[Geeves]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Fairly well confirms that Hynes is staying in QLD

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Players signed by position

Now updated later in thread.

 

[Lindommer]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Didn't someone post earlier Lipman had signed?