Rebels 2013

[swingpass]

as someone posted earlier, jones is likely to get some/plenty of starting time because of resting/rotating players and injuries to the main back 3 (delve, higginbotham and either saffy or fugistaller), but who knows he may play the house down again and oust higgers or delve (the latter i doubt). pyle and neville to start as the 2nd row obviously
from watching the ITM i think manu is very likely to be a starter

 

[en_force_er]

as someone posted earlier, jones is likely to get some/plenty of starting time because of resting/rotating players and injuries to the main back 3 (delve, higginbotham and either saffy or fugistaller), but who knows he may play the house down again and oust higgers or delve (the latter i doubt). pyle and neville to start as the 2nd row obviously
from watching the ITM i think manu is very likely to be a starter

I can't see him ousting Higgers or Delve.

Sadly, selections are done to some extent to represent a players pay packet. Delve and Higgers are paid a lot and if they weren't starting and there wasn't a good reason, the admin staff would not be happy (particularly Delve who's face is plastered on everything).

 

[KevinO]

I can't see him ousting Higgers or Delve.

Sadly, selections are done to some extent to represent a players pay packet. Delve and Higgers are paid a lot and if they weren't starting and there wasn't a good reason, the admin staff would not be happy (particularly Delve who's face is plastered on everything).

Put pay packets aside,

Delve has clean up the Rebels awards as our best player for the last two season's, been a great leader and has the experience needed to lead the Rebels pack.

Higgers, plenty of Super Rugby and International experience which includes a title win. Find it hard to pick Jones ahead of these two, especially when I picture Delve as has the Captain's arm band for 2013 and Higgers having a role in the leadership group.

 

[swingpass]

no, i agree. delve has been clearly the best player at the rebels and assuming he is fit will always start, so too probably higgers, but players do get injured, others have form slumps and some players (jones ?) are on the upwards curve of their careers, so its not beyond possible that jones will start some games and should see plenty off the bench.

 

[qwerty51]

When does Luke Jones' current contract end?

It's only a matter of time before he does a Hooper and comes home.

 

[swingpass]

i think he resigned at the end of last year for three years. also studying at melb uni. may just decide to call melbourne home

 

[Dumbledore]

Higgers was selected to play 8. Don't be surprised if Hill leaves him there. Don't be surprised to see Delve, Higgers and Jones in the same back row at some point either. Jones is way too good not to be starting.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

not sure on that.
delve is clearly going to be the 8, higgers will shift to 6
was higgers signed before delve resigned?
i think jones will get plenty of time through injuries and rotations. delve will have back and calf issues again, higgers always misses a couple of games and saffy - who knows how he's doing.
excited for our forward pack despite the claims of the non rebel fans.
pyle and neville together again, plus hendo, ged and a full strength weeks - with no mention of the backrow!

 

[kronic]

Higgers was signed before Delve re-signed.

Based on where he is playing for the Wallabies at present, Higgers will probably play at blindside.

Spot on Higgins, Delve has a bunch of re-occurring injuries and is not exactly young. Plus, he'll probably depart us after this season. The rotation policy becomes key here. I seem to recall reading that Jones has played at 8 also.

 

[en_force_er]

When does Luke Jones' current contract end?

It's only a matter of time before he does a Hooper and comes home.

Because being a 22ish year old and living in Canberra V Home is the same as living in Melbourne V Home.

If everybody moved home to the Tahs they'd be an impressive outfit but it isn't the case.

 

[kronic]

We've lost Manu, FFS. Failed pre-employment medical examination.

Now we have to hunt for another prop.

 

[wilful]

Interesting article today, Phipps cannot understand why on earth Wales haven't selected Delve. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-...r-wales-baffles-wallabies-20121129-2aex8.html

 

[kronic]

Interesting article today, Phipps cannot understand why on earth Wales haven't selected Delve. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-...r-wales-baffles-wallabies-20121129-2aex8.html

Mostly due to the majority of Welsh players are now in the French leagues, opposed to the Pro 12. We all know what the French clubs are like with releasing players for international duty, outside the IRB window.

 

[TOCC]

We've lost Manu, FFS. Failed pre-employment medical examination.

Now we have to hunt for another prop.

luckily there is an abundance of those kicking around Australia

 

[en_force_er]

We've lost Manu, FFS. Failed pre-employment medical examination.

Now we have to hunt for another prop.

Really? I rated Manu VERY highly.

There were rumours a guy from the Force (the centre from 7s) suffered the same fate and it came to nothing. Could this be the same thing?

How did he fail? Injury or something else?

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Injury but i believe he was given a timeframe to prove he could get fit and he did unless its a chronic injury i imagine rebels will do the same

 

[daz]

How many members do we have to date for 2013?

Anyone? Bueller?

 

[en_force_er]

Injury but i believe he was given a timeframe to prove he could get fit and he did unless its a chronic injury i imagine rebels will do the same

I suppose he occupies an international spot. If he drops out the World is our oyster.

However, I can't picture us fighting a more promising prop on the price tag we are likely paying him.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

I can think of a few that are kicking around both shute shield and qld premier

 

[en_force_er]

I can think of a few that are kicking around both shute shield and qld premier

People are shouting Barry Faamausili's name. He's Victorian (as I embarrassingly didn't know) and he'll be done and dusted with his short term Montpellier contract by then (or so I hear).

Failing that Ollie Hoskins might be worth a look see, though the Force folk would be mighty POed.