Mick The Munch
Bill McLean (32)
Just saw a comment on the Roar from someone bemoaning the Reds having too many locks!!
Can't please anybody!!!!
Can't please anybody!!!!
Melbourne Rebels Players - where are they going?
- Thread starter stillmissit
- Start date
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
I suspect the problem is The Rebels flooding Australian rugby at a time when our senior players aren't getting enough game time.Can we start a "Rebels propping up Australian rugby thread"
Proud Pig
Tom Lawton (22)
I don't know why Canham would go to Queensland because according to Wallaby selection he will be behind Blyth, Smith and LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) for a game.
I would have thought that with Swain going to Perth and Neville using a Zimmer frame the Brumbies would have been all over Canham.
I would have thought that with Swain going to Perth and Neville using a Zimmer frame the Brumbies would have been all over Canham.
Mick The Munch
Bill McLean (32)
Good points Certainly highlights how badly handled the whole Sh!tshow has been run - Brumbies need Lock replacements in the next couple of years
Confirmed. Isaac Kailea rumoured to Reds too. Not sure if contract signed.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Just put him on the list with rumour
Let me know if it's confirmed or another franchise.
Let me know if it's confirmed or another franchise.
stillmissit
Peter Johnson (47)
Do you know something Adam?
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Wilson, five players have moved on and there's been no mention of anyone being signed. Are you saying that some signings have been made and not yet announced, or that the squad is being reduced for next year?
I have no thoughts atm on either of Tualima or Feleuai. It would be good to get another Lock to replace Swain, but I would have preferred either of Canham or LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) but it's only bad news on their front. I'm not sure how we will cope at No 12 next year. Tua at his best will be missed but he was quite inconsistent over the competition this year with questions about his defensive abilities. In the current squad, there is Sapsford who started out at the Brumbies as a No 12 but has put in some eye catching stints on the wing this year, Austin Anderson who is apparently a specialist No 12 but unsure if he is yet ready for Super Rugby duties and Hudson Creighton who is more a No 13 but I think has filled in on occasions at 12.
If none of the top rated ex-Rebels are coming this way, then I would like to see Nabolakasi join us as a development prospect in the backrow. I reckon he could be anything in a year or two.
I have no thoughts atm on either of Tualima or Feleuai. It would be good to get another Lock to replace Swain, but I would have preferred either of Canham or LSL (Lukhan Salakaia-Loto) but it's only bad news on their front. I'm not sure how we will cope at No 12 next year. Tua at his best will be missed but he was quite inconsistent over the competition this year with questions about his defensive abilities. In the current squad, there is Sapsford who started out at the Brumbies as a No 12 but has put in some eye catching stints on the wing this year, Austin Anderson who is apparently a specialist No 12 but unsure if he is yet ready for Super Rugby duties and Hudson Creighton who is more a No 13 but I think has filled in on occasions at 12.
If none of the top rated ex-Rebels are coming this way, then I would like to see Nabolakasi join us as a development prospect in the backrow. I reckon he could be anything in a year or two.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Not so much as saying, but repeating what I've heard from multiple journalists - both Doran and Atkinson I think on their respective podcasts. It's certainly not uncommon to hold of on announce signings and re-signings for a variety of reasons.
Potentially a guy like Tualima who is off contract at the end of the year may have even signed months ago, but might not want anything announced until the dust has settled for the rest of the squad. Similarly players often don't want to announce anything in the later stages of competitions and want to wait till their season has finished. There may also be final sign off from a medical required.
Potentially a guy like Tualima who is off contract at the end of the year may have even signed months ago, but might not want anything announced until the dust has settled for the rest of the squad. Similarly players often don't want to announce anything in the later stages of competitions and want to wait till their season has finished. There may also be final sign off from a medical required.
liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
Maybe he believes he can become a better player at the Reds?
Homer
Bill Watson (15)
Dont know why Isaac Kailea would go to the Reds. They already have deep stocks and still haven't used Massimo Delutiis who is going to kill it.
Tahs need to get rid of half their props, Force need some power and depth at the Brumbies depth has been shown up this year. Kailea would be one of the most in demand from the Rebels.
Tahs need to get rid of half their props, Force need some power and depth at the Brumbies depth has been shown up this year. Kailea would be one of the most in demand from the Rebels.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
De Lutiis and Kailea play on opposite sides of the scrum, his presence (along with Nonggorr's) would be more likely to be a positive, as an opportunity to build a partnerships that could be repeated at wallabies level for a long time. He has also been playing at UQ for a few years now alongside Nasser, the Reds backup hooker (though a fair bit of that was spent at lock). That time at UQ alone may have him keen to end up in Brisbane.
Aside from that the Reds options at loosehead are all on the older side (Ravai 34, Fa'agase 33, Hodgman 30) except for Blake, who Kailea is light years ahead of. With Ravai in particular not likely to have too long left (and currently off contract) he's entirely likey to be pushing for a start. Working with an experienced group of props is likely also a positive, as is joining a team on the up swing.
I wouldn't discount the desire of this group to stick together where possible either - Kailea came through the Rebels academy at the same time as Canham and so many of those players have ties to Queensland that will make the Reds look like an attractive destination for them, particularly with the positive vibes around the squad after this past year.
Aside from that the Reds options at loosehead are all on the older side (Ravai 34, Fa'agase 33, Hodgman 30) except for Blake, who Kailea is light years ahead of. With Ravai in particular not likely to have too long left (and currently off contract) he's entirely likey to be pushing for a start. Working with an experienced group of props is likely also a positive, as is joining a team on the up swing.
I wouldn't discount the desire of this group to stick together where possible either - Kailea came through the Rebels academy at the same time as Canham and so many of those players have ties to Queensland that will make the Reds look like an attractive destination for them, particularly with the positive vibes around the squad after this past year.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
Someone needs to sign Angelo Smith ASAP, man is a weapon. He'd be a cheap get to replace Swain/Rodda/Carter or a Waratahs lock.
Still a lot of quality that has had no connections:
- Leota, benefit to any team that gets him, probably WF or 'Tahs
- Vaihu brothers are starting to come good. Would love them at the Brumbies for their development
- Eloff is on cusp of eligibility. 'Tahs?
- Maiava would be good depth for Force & Tahs
- I feel resigned to Ekuasi leaving but he would be in any team's 23.
Still a lot of quality that has had no connections:
- Leota, benefit to any team that gets him, probably WF or 'Tahs
- Vaihu brothers are starting to come good. Would love them at the Brumbies for their development
- Eloff is on cusp of eligibility. 'Tahs?
- Maiava would be good depth for Force & Tahs
- I feel resigned to Ekuasi leaving but he would be in any team's 23.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
I'm expecting Smith to head straight to the tahs, particularly with Raiwalui now there. Gives them the opportunity to really lean on big, power second rowers having him and Amatosero.
The rumour around Leota seems to be Queensland, though I don't see where he fits in, particularly if Salakaia-Loto ends up back at the Reds. Not sure how strong the desire/connection is there for him - the thing that keeps getting quoted is that he has an investment property in Brisbane, which is something I guess?
I wonder if the Vaihu's will come down to whoever can take them both, as often does with brothers. Raises the question of Mason Gordon too, who is looking a bit blocked everywhere. Possibly the tahs can use him after loosing Harrison and missing out on his brother, but with Bowen and 3 fullbacks there next year he might get more chances at the Brumbies long term. If I had to bet he'd end up in Japan though.
I'd have Eloff to the Force, they could use him on either side of the scrum. Particualrly if the tahs end up with Tupou and Fa'amausili which have been the strongest two rumours there. Then they can run Bell/Lambert and Tupou/Pone with Johnson-Holmes covering both sides with Tompson-Stringer and possibly Holz still there. That does assume Johnson-Holmes and Lambert re-sign, but given the injury run I doubt they're inline for a pay day overseas.
I really rate Maiava as a prospect which is also a bit worrying, he may get snapped up overseas. He might have the mobility/pace to do a stint in sevens too, which might be an option for next year if he can't get the the team he wants straight off.
I'd be amazed if the Blues weren't talking to Ekuasi after Akira has moved on, but either way I can't see him hanging around unless he has a really deep aspiration to play for Australia. He'd only become eligible in 2027 though and that'll be a tough year to crack the squad.
Ripley is the other guy in that squad I really rate who hasn't had much of a mention after a quiet year. I'm hoping he's back up to Queensland to give uas another big body option in the backline, but that might only happen if we lose a few backs first which is less than ideal. He could also try his hand at 7s for a year while the dust settles, particularlly if there's a bit of a post olympics exodus.
The rumour around Leota seems to be Queensland, though I don't see where he fits in, particularly if Salakaia-Loto ends up back at the Reds. Not sure how strong the desire/connection is there for him - the thing that keeps getting quoted is that he has an investment property in Brisbane, which is something I guess?
I wonder if the Vaihu's will come down to whoever can take them both, as often does with brothers. Raises the question of Mason Gordon too, who is looking a bit blocked everywhere. Possibly the tahs can use him after loosing Harrison and missing out on his brother, but with Bowen and 3 fullbacks there next year he might get more chances at the Brumbies long term. If I had to bet he'd end up in Japan though.
I'd have Eloff to the Force, they could use him on either side of the scrum. Particualrly if the tahs end up with Tupou and Fa'amausili which have been the strongest two rumours there. Then they can run Bell/Lambert and Tupou/Pone with Johnson-Holmes covering both sides with Tompson-Stringer and possibly Holz still there. That does assume Johnson-Holmes and Lambert re-sign, but given the injury run I doubt they're inline for a pay day overseas.
I really rate Maiava as a prospect which is also a bit worrying, he may get snapped up overseas. He might have the mobility/pace to do a stint in sevens too, which might be an option for next year if he can't get the the team he wants straight off.
I'd be amazed if the Blues weren't talking to Ekuasi after Akira has moved on, but either way I can't see him hanging around unless he has a really deep aspiration to play for Australia. He'd only become eligible in 2027 though and that'll be a tough year to crack the squad.
Ripley is the other guy in that squad I really rate who hasn't had much of a mention after a quiet year. I'm hoping he's back up to Queensland to give uas another big body option in the backline, but that might only happen if we lose a few backs first which is less than ideal. He could also try his hand at 7s for a year while the dust settles, particularlly if there's a bit of a post olympics exodus.
