Melbourne Rebels 2024

[Dctarget]

I don't even understand how it's possible? I thought RA have guaranteed their payments?

 

[Wilson]

Assume he's on a Wallaby top-up, so I would be very surprised if he's not.

I'd be pretty surprised if Daugunu was still on a wallaby top up - he was for his last contract with the Reds but hasn't been selected for the Wallabies since the end of 2021. In that time guys like Kellaway, Vunivalu and Nawaqanitawase have all emerged ahead of him as wing options for the Wallabies, with plenty more young talent coming through. Hard to see how that would've merited a top up in the middle of 2023 when he still wasn't getting a look in.

 

[Wilson]

I don't even understand how it's possible? I thought RA have guaranteed their payments?

Third party payments is one way, like @Adam84 mentioned. For example, if one of the now collapsed BRC capital sponsors of the Rebels was to pay him something that would be gone. If there were any salary cap shenanigans that could be another - RA wouldn't have guaranteed any payments outside the cap.

 

[KevinO]

Well if it's 3rd party he needs to say something, if it's RA are late but everyone else still played. I know who has my back on the field and who doesn't. Also would not be a good look for any clubs that are taking interest, no one player is bigger then a team. If you were a French or Japanese club looking at signing him, you would be thinking twice now.

 

[TSR]

We don’t know what sort of finance pressure he could be under either. I’ve known people who became physically ill with the stress of financial issues. He may have been in no state to play.

 

[PhilClinton]

Well if it's 3rd party he needs to say something, if it's RA are late but everyone else still played. I know who has my back on the field and who doesn't. Also would not be a good look for any clubs that are taking interest, no one player is bigger then a team. If you were a French or Japanese club looking at signing him, you would be thinking twice now.

Are you going to hold the same stance if more Rebels players stand down? What if Kellaway decides to pack up shop next weekend because his full pay cheque isn’t in the mail?

Seems a really strange hill to die on here and just keep rubbishing a player without any facts.

 

[oztimmay]

Anyone heard scuttlebutt about Daugunu not being paid? Bit of gossip on one of the facebook fan pages.

had it confirmed by a few well-informed blokes at Club training tonight.

how the actual fuck did we get to this point? As many have said, player payments guaranteed for 2024?

 

[RugbyReg]

had it confirmed by a few well-informed blokes at Club training tonight.

how the actual fuck did we get to this point? As many have said, player payments guaranteed for 2024?

Are RA covering that or has the recent stay of execution ruling meant its still with VRU/Rebels?

 

[oztimmay]

NFI mate. Let’s.see what happens at the RA and MRRU meeting tomorrow.

as an aside the RugbyVic AGM is on tomorrow. Expectation it will be very spicy affair, given the current shit sandwich down here in vic.

 

[LeCheese]

@Filipo Daugunu pls enlighten us

 

[Scooter]

Hodge - 37
Koroibete - 23
English - 22
Maddocks - 19
Sefa - 16

Spot on KevinO, to round out the top 10:

Equal 5th Kellaway 16
7th Higginbotham 15
8th Cooper Vuna 13
9th DHP 12
10th Billy Meakes 11

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Fa'amausili open to surprise shift in Rebels pack

www.rugby.com.au

I love the idea tbh. Hard to see it happen as he gets older. The weight tends to become more locked in. To do it without injury would need a season of training.

 

[RugbyReg]

I hate the idea. We aren’t short of 8s. We are short of world class 3s. He should be playing elsewhere geographically rather than positionally.

 

[PhilClinton]

Fa'amausili open to surprise shift in Rebels pack

www.rugby.com.au

I love the idea tbh. Hard to see it happen as he gets older. The weight tends to become more locked in. To do it without injury would need a season of training.

Or you know he could just train, play club rugby and push his case to be picked in the position he should be playing.

 

[Wilson]

Fa'amausili open to surprise shift in Rebels pack

www.rugby.com.au

I love the idea tbh. Hard to see it happen as he gets older. The weight tends to become more locked in. To do it without injury would need a season of training.

Rebels don't need another big body in the backrow, particularly not one without the fitness of a traditional backrower. The need a bit more graft and on ball presence and should be looking at Kohen Herbert to come into the 23.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Rebels don't need another big body in the backrow, particularly not one without the fitness of a traditional backrower. The need a bit more graft and on ball presence and should be looking at Kohen Herbert to come into the 23.

I know it’s a one liner and headline grab but you’d also like him to just win a job in the Front Row.

Rebels also have the young kid Taliatina (I’ve butchered that sorry) who looked unbelievable for the 20s last year. Changed the pack when he was going.

 

[Highlander35]

I don't mind it, but it's a symptom of broader Australian Rugby issues around getting players in the right positions maximal gametime.

Talakai, Tupou and Pone are all experienced players competing for one starting and one reserve jersey at the same team, while all the other sides are running foreigners or <24 year olds with a dozen super caps as their reserve options.

 

[Tomikin]

Rebels don't need another big body in the backrow, particularly not one without the fitness of a traditional backrower. The need a bit more graft and on ball presence and should be looking at Kohen Herbert to come into the 23.

Yep, he should be working his tail off trying to take Nella's spot at the moment, with fitness and scruming.

 

[Highlander35]

I know it’s a one liner and headline grab but you’d also like him to just win a job in the Front Row.

Rebels also have the young kid Taliatina (I’ve butchered that sorry) who looked unbelievable for the 20s last year. Changed the pack when he was going.

He appears to be out with a long term shoulder injury.

 

[Tomikin]

I don't mind it, but it's a symptom of broader Australian Rugby issues around getting players in the right positions maximal gametime.

Talakai, Tupou and Pone are all experienced players competing for one starting and one reserve jersey at the same team, while all the other sides are running foreigners or <24 year olds with a dozen super caps as their reserve options.

Im sure there's a few teams who'd take on Pone atm and have him playing.