I was at the Rising Rebels game on the weekend and while there was a pretty small crowd, (maybe 100 people tops), it was a really fun game to watch.
Obviously there has been talk about Alex Rockabaro being too slight for super rugby, but he played a cracker of a game. As did Chris Thompson and to a slightly lesser degree, Jordy Reid.
But holy hell, there were some fantastic young kids running around I have never heard of, not just with the RR but also the Country NSW lads. It would be interesting to know if any of the NSW kids are linked with the Tahs.
I had never heard of Billy Valetini (sp?), a young guy from Halequins, but I nearly shat myself at the skills that kid has. 17 years old, built like a brick shithouse and runs faster than an arctic southerly. Went over for a double and could have had 2 more. I might be coming late to the party but this kid is going places.
All in all, good fun. Not often you get to stand at a suburban ground on a Saturday night in Melbourne and have a beer while discussing the finer points of the game with guys like Matt Tink and Stirling Mortlock.