RaboDirect Rebels on the March
By Rebels Media Unit
Players being inducted
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Induction camp - Day one
The RaboDirect Rebels have assembled for the very first time at an induction camp in the seaside town of Lorne, west of Melbourne. Players, coaches and team management have set themselves four days to establish the fundamental protocols, on and off the field, that will dictate how the entire squad bonds together to build a formidable challenge for Super Rugby 2011.
A relaxed Day 1 of the camp was assigned to introductions, basic team operations and background on the traditions of Melbourne and the Victorian people and their rugby. From the Eureka Stockade in 1854, to the exploits of Wallaby Weary Dunlop and the Melbourne Rebels’ 2007 challenge for the Australian Rugby Championship.
The day ended with the squad huddled around the TV to watch Adam Byrnes' partner Sophie Edington just miss out on a medal in the 100 metre backstroke final at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Day 2 will see the initial foundations laid for onfield success with the coaches outlining how the RaboDirect Rebels will play and how they will be innovative and very competitive in 2011.
Players and Coaches comments:
Nathan Grey
This is my first coaching position after my playing career and it is really exciting to be a part of something new. A team that is basically being built from the ground up. The camp has already been very productive and the professionalism within the group already is a standout feature for me. The guys have openly discussed their excitement about being part of something new and they are all keen to do Victoria and Melbourne proud.
It is a very diverse group with players from Wales, England, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. These players bring different perspectives on the game and different approaches and an awful lot of intellectual property. The challenge for the coaching personnel is to draw on all this experience and knowledge and use it to the team’s benefit. I am confident we can do that.
Jarrod Saffy
It’s all been a bit of an eye-opener. Earlier this week I was celebrating with the St George Dragons following our win in the NRL final in Sydney and days later I am in Victoria embarking on a totally new venture. It is fair to say it has been mentally tough having to think about next season already when I’ve just finished the previous season, but at the same time it is very exciting. Luckily I have two weeks off after the camp to recharge my batteries.
The camp is an excellent idea and highlighted why I am very excited to be returning to rugby and playing for the RaboDirect Rebels. The coaches are building a specific team ethos and are challenging us as players by developing a dynamic playing pattern that we hope will make us very competitive next year.
Peter Betham
It is fair to say that the experience of joining a totally new team, with players I am not familiar with, is daunting but at the same time an exciting challenge. There are players with so many different backgrounds but that means more input, new ideas and willingness from everyone to learn and adjust.
Entering the camp was like entering the unknown but everyone is in the same boat and the coaches and management have already put in place the necessary systems to allow us to start thinking about the playing structures. It is clear that the Rebels want to be different and push the boundaries. The game is evolving and the Rebels will hopefully evolve it more. As on outside back I am excited by anything that leads to more running and ball in hand opportunities.
