Melbourne Rebels 2011

[tranquility]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Too be honest, in my opinion the squad is building quite nicely. Good young talent such as Kingi, Mitchell and Betham getting an opportunity. Best THP in the country. More than enough battle hardened journeymen. Throw in the X-factor of Delve and Cipriani and the fact that they still have alot of time to buy the remainder of the squad. I think they are in a good spot, and no other team has been pillaged either.

Expect alot of academy signings in the next couple of weeks as the super 14 wraps up.

 

[Biffo]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Too be honest, in my opinion the squad is building quite nicely. Good young talent such as Kingi, Mitchell and Betham getting an opportunity. Best THP in the country. More than enough battle hardened journeymen. Throw in the X-factor of Delve and Cipriani and the fact that they still have alot of time to buy the remainder of the squad. I think they are in a good spot, and no other team has been pillaged either.

Expect alot of academy signings in the next couple of weeks as the super 14 wraps up.

Agreed. I had expected the Rebels to sign 4-5 current Wallabies; this now seems unlikely. I am more surprised that there have been no signings of Fijians, Tongans and Samoans and only one kiwi.

 

[gone]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Best THP in the country.

Yep, it's just a shame Somerville's not available for the Wallabies. Oh... you were talking about Weekes, he's well behind Alexander and personally (I know I don't have much support on this board) I would put Ma'afu ahead of him. Weekes scrummaging is still his downfall - can't question his work around the ground though. I'd put him 3rd at this stage but I think Palmer has a lot of potential.

On the academy aspect - a training squad from club players will be named in July for the remaining spots + academy spots in the rebels setup, I will be interested to see who makes this squad. A lot of overseas players have come to Sydney club rugby for a crack at this.

 

[RugbyFuture]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Lightning doesn't strike twice. [Cue cyclo pointing me in the direciton of Lee Trevino]

I have to say, it's an odd mix of talent, at this stage.

yeh i agree

 

[TOCC]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

i think whoever they sign for 12 is going to dictate how this team plays..

If Maqueen wants to persue the hardtackling and abrasive style 12 then surely the Stanley brothers at Auckland cant be disimissed, however i suppose it depends on availability..

Surely Ben Tapuai would be high on the list, he is sitting behind Fainga'a at the Reds and he is a Melbourne boy to start with.

 

[disco]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Why aren't they targetting more Argies & Islanders? If they've got money then why wouldn't they be chasing players like Hernandez & Rupeni Caucau?

Especially with the Pumas joining sanzar/ sanzaar.

 

[Reddy!]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Seems like the Rebels are really trying to add alot of experience to their maiden squad, albeit at the expense of more exciting players. They should however perform solidly in their first season and will probably finish around 12th.

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Why aren't they targetting more Argies & Islanders? If they've got money then why wouldn't they be chasing players like Hernandez & Rupeni Caucau?

Especially with the Pumas joining sanzar/ sanzaar.

2011 was not a good year to start a new rugby franchise in Oz. 2012 will be easier for the Rebels. As I wrote elsewhere.

I reiterate that it is very difficult for the Rebels to get overseas players who have aspirations to play in the 2011 RWC. European players will have to put themselves forward in 6N else their competitors may steal a march on them for precedence in their position - or worse: two may be contending and they could miss the squad altogether. Even the Argies playing in Europe know they are assessed by their form for Euro clubs and that the assessors understand the reference point of Euro rugby better than the more expansive Super14.

Kiwis would automatically disqualify themselves from the RWC because by the time the 2011 Super15 ends it will be too late to get back into NZ rugby via the NPC to qualify for the All Blacks. The Saffers don't seem to mind where their players play but, other things being equal, it is likely that players who stayed at home would get precedence.

In 2012 it will be easier to get overseas players at a reasonable rate just as it was easier for Euro clubs to get 3N players after the last RWC. This will help to bridge the player gap for Melbourne until the effect of Oz players not going overseas in the first place kicks in, and a few of the many overseas Oz players return.

The same applies to Islanders. The best ones play in Europe.

 

[wobbly]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

The success of Cipriani and Delve will probably have a significant bearing on the number and quality of NH players who consider moving South for 2012.

If the Argies can get at least to the QF's of the RWC, then there'll be more impetus to get their players (both leading and developmental) to play in the SH.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

The Waratahs want to keep it quiet but the Melbourne Rebels have been working hard to convince star NSW loose-head prop Benn Robinson to move south. While Robinson has intimated he is staying with the Waratahs, R&M has been told the Rebels have ''offered the world to a key Waratah and his future is again up in the air''. But what has irked the Waratahs is the bungling over an apparent ''handshake agreement'' and that some officials have talked too much about this subject. This has disenchanted several leading NSW figures - both on and off the field. However, they have been told not to publicly discuss the issue for fear it will be a distraction during their Super finals campaign. After all, several Waratahs were less than impressed with public comments made from head office over the Bulls resting players the week before, regarding the statements as an unnecessary diversion. And although the ARU gave the Waratahs permission to play breakaway Pat McCutcheon this weekend, rather than skipper the Australian Sevens team at the London tournament, they will not be so lenient next time around. As McCutcheon is contracted to the ARU, they had every right to force him to play for their Sevens team. However, they decided for the good of the Waratahs they would allow him to play in the Cape Town semi-final.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

a couple of twitters coming through (from both rugby and league communities) that Ricky Stuart will be assistant coach at the Rebels next year.

Possibly leave the Cronulla Sharks as early as next week (who will be coached by Nathan Brown).

 

[Scotty]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

I was just thinking the other day how little rugby coaches in this country have a whinge about the ref straight after the game in comparison to the sprays that AFL and particularly League coaches give them.

That is going to change quickly if Stuart gets the gig in Melbourne.

 

[wobbly]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

I hope your information is wrong Noddy. I can't stand Ricky Stuart and as he's a poor Mungo coach, I can't see what value he will bring to the Rebels. I just can't see Stuart as the type of bloke MacQueen would weant to bring into the organisation. He's already got a set of quality coaches (Hill, Grey, Bakewell, Darwin), so what the hell does he want or need Stuart for?

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

yeah it does seem odd and that's a lot of coaches. Don't forget Knuckles who I thought has some role there too.

 

[tranquility]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Stuart is actually a very good coach, working with a very under resourced club.

He was an amazing union player player for both the Australian schoolboys and Wallaby's before switching to League and doing it all over in that code as well. One of the most famous dual internationals.

He is also supposedly very strict with his players and expects alot in training.

If he can keep his mouth shut, I don't think he was would be a bad addition at all.

 

[DPK]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Nathan Brown on the other hand... :

 

[the gambler]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Stuart is actually a very good coach, working with a very under resourced club.

He was an amazing union player player for both the Australian schoolboys and Wallaby's before switching to League and doing it all over in that code as well. One of the most famous dual internationals.

He is also supposedly very strict with his players and expects alot in training.

If he can keep his mouth shut, I don't think he was would be a bad addition at all.

Australia's answer to Edwards. Will be interesting to see how he goes. Assuming he takes up a defenisve role does anyone else see the irony in Grey being skills coach and Stuart a defense coach?

 

[Lion]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Good player

Way to emotional to be a good coach and hates Rugby Union.
I think this is a wind up. I also heard that Berrick Barnes was going to announce he had signed with an NRL club.

 

[tranquility]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

the rumour mill is working it's guts off this week

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Melbourne Rebels recruitment: update what you hear

Nathan Brown on the other hand... :

.... had the Dragons job too early at age 29, went to the Super League in England and got the Super League Coach of the Year award last year.

Don't you knock Brownie; dem's fighting words. Anyone who got knocked out in a game in Melbourne and when asked when he came to where he thought he was, answered: "The Casino???" - must have some merit.