stillmissit
Ken Catchpole (46)
Yeah watched Joey Walton playing for Gordon v Norths on Saturday.
Melbourne Rebels Players - where are they going?
- Thread starter stillmissit
- Start date
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
I'm perhaps slightly surprised there's not been another 3 or 4 European contracts, but other than that it doesn't really seem that contentious. The Japanese and American seasons are ages away: unless you were planning on going already I can imagine that neither of those groups would be keen to have you on the books until the season is much closer to actually starting.
At home, there's about half a dozen players with contracts still to be sorted: Dobbins, Kailea, Pincus and Ripley I think are the last of the locals to be sorted out, while Matty Proctor and Vaolini Ekuasi (who are playing for Wellington and Auckland in the NPC respectively) are still technically contracted as well to my knowledge.
A substantial number of the remaining Rebels players fit into journeyman, development, or extended squad positions at other sides: particularly looking at blokes like Jooste, Louwrens, Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, David Vaihu, Mason Gordon, Maiava, Hough, Strachan, Talataiana, Tuipulotu. There's very rarely a time when these players will be high priority signings unless there's specific gaps in your squad, or you genuinely believe one of these young guys is a gun: (see here, Brumbies signing of Tualima and Feliuai to cover the departures of Swain and Tua).
Which only really leaves the prop group (Talakai, Eloff, Pone) and Angelo Smith, all of whom you'd probably prefer stick around for tight 5 depth and development purposes, but presuming fitness of other players, potentially struggle to give a best 23 spot to: is that what blokes like Pone and Eloff want having played about half a dozen times between them being stuck behind the Gibbon-Kailea-Tupou-Talakai group all season?
At home, there's about half a dozen players with contracts still to be sorted: Dobbins, Kailea, Pincus and Ripley I think are the last of the locals to be sorted out, while Matty Proctor and Vaolini Ekuasi (who are playing for Wellington and Auckland in the NPC respectively) are still technically contracted as well to my knowledge.
A substantial number of the remaining Rebels players fit into journeyman, development, or extended squad positions at other sides: particularly looking at blokes like Jooste, Louwrens, Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, David Vaihu, Mason Gordon, Maiava, Hough, Strachan, Talataiana, Tuipulotu. There's very rarely a time when these players will be high priority signings unless there's specific gaps in your squad, or you genuinely believe one of these young guys is a gun: (see here, Brumbies signing of Tualima and Feliuai to cover the departures of Swain and Tua).
Which only really leaves the prop group (Talakai, Eloff, Pone) and Angelo Smith, all of whom you'd probably prefer stick around for tight 5 depth and development purposes, but presuming fitness of other players, potentially struggle to give a best 23 spot to: is that what blokes like Pone and Eloff want having played about half a dozen times between them being stuck behind the Gibbon-Kailea-Tupou-Talakai group all season?
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Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
I did see that in Doran's column on The Roar, alongside Maiava, Kailea and Dobbins, but I'm keeping them all in the "not formally announced group" mentally for now.
As stated, he's probably 1 of the group of 4 for whom you would have expected to see "something" be happening for, and I'm glad it's the case.
As stated, he's probably 1 of the group of 4 for whom you would have expected to see "something" be happening for, and I'm glad it's the case.
The Ghost of Raelene
Steve Williams (59)
Could be trying... Eloff and Pone would have enough interest from other sides its probably with agents at the moment.
Talakai wouldn't surprise me to see land at NSW being a Sydney guy and always turning out for Syd Uni following Super Rugby every year. Don't know his post Rugby plans but 32 with a young family. If the opportunity presented on the East Coast it may be more appealing?
Talakai wouldn't surprise me to see land at NSW being a Sydney guy and always turning out for Syd Uni following Super Rugby every year. Don't know his post Rugby plans but 32 with a young family. If the opportunity presented on the East Coast it may be more appealing?
Jimmy_Crouch
Ken Catchpole (46)
Please can Pone go somewhere and get bulk minutes.
Wilson
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
I wonder if they'll look at Foote for one of the sevens jobs, given his background there. Certainly sounds like both the men's and women's roles will be up for grabs, assuming he's interested.
I'm not really sure about Stiles though, I generally like him but I think he bears a bit more responsibility for where things got to at the Rebels and might look like damaged goods in that GM role as a result. He'll probably have to drop down a level at least and demonstrate a bit of stability before he gets another crack at super Rugby level (or equivalent).
I'm not really sure about Stiles though, I generally like him but I think he bears a bit more responsibility for where things got to at the Rebels and might look like damaged goods in that GM role as a result. He'll probably have to drop down a level at least and demonstrate a bit of stability before he gets another crack at super Rugby level (or equivalent).
The Ghost of Raelene
Steve Williams (59)
Yeah I'm not sure Stiles would be on the hit list for many pro sides right now. Having a senior role in an organisation that had such issues probably hurts for a while. The CEO landed on his feet though...
Feels like one of these times you move to a Japanese lower tier side or a Director of Rugby job at a School.
Feels like one of these times you move to a Japanese lower tier side or a Director of Rugby job at a School.
Wilson
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
School seems pretty likely - the GPS programs in Brisbane have been full of former Super Rugby bosses lately, I'm sure it's similar down in Sydney.
SouthernX
John Thornett (49)
Vaiolini Ekuasi has landed at the force
thewest.com.au
Force add ‘street fighter’ ex-Rebel, Shute Shield stand-out
Western Force have beefed up their forward pack by adding former Melbourne Rebel Vaiolini Ekuasi and Shute Shield stand-out Josh Thompson.
thewest.com.au
Wilson
Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Ryan Louwrens to Montpellier:
www.rugbypass.com
Montpellier sign Rebels halfback Ryan Louwrens
Montpellier have just made South African scrum-half Ryan Louwrens their 15th new signing ahead of the new season, as Mohed Altrad...
www.rugbypass.com
The Ghost of Raelene
Steve Williams (59)
Your'e telling me he didn't want to keep having a run for the Hunter Wildfires.
LearningCurve
Bill Watson (15)
That reads like it is a joker contract - just covering for an international player away on test duties until end of season. I would have thought he might have picked up something more long term by now.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
Sammy Talakai off to my mob:
glasgowwarriors.org
Glasgow Warriors add Talakai ahead of new campaign - Glasgow Warriors
The 32-year-old will link up with his new team-mates at Scotstoun in the coming weeks, joining Scotland internationals Zander Fagerson and Murphy Walker, as well as new arrivals, Patrick Schickerling and Fin Richardson, and academy prospects Callum Norrie and Jake Shearer, on the tight-head side...
glasgowwarriors.org