Rebels 2013

[thierry dusautoir]

and general skills

I am backing a big season from Stirzaker, Alo Emile and jordy reid

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

I agree re Inman. It would be great to see the wallabies boast a truely large and potentially destructive option at 12/13 and inman is the only one that fits the bill...not for lack of effort on Cummins part though!
I think his time in the wallaby camp will be a significant boost to Inman
I also think Strzaker will outshadow phipps and personally, barring injury i think phipps will be our 3rd ranked half back. he is not as good as kinghi when injury free and Zaker showed great vision, pace and skill when he got some chances towards the end of the year - in some tough games at that.

I think Cooper Vuna is going to build on what was another strong season last year. I expect big things from him.

 

[en_force_er]

We can't call Inman a "Neville" type player, isn't it the blokes 5th Super Rugby season?

I hope he delivers, I've always liked the player he looked like he was becoming but he hasn't progressed as quickly as I'd like. If that makes sense.

 

[kronic]

IMO, players to watch:
- Stirzaker: Brilliant towards the end of the season, want to see more of him
- Woodward: Impressed by his ITM Cup form, can he make the jump to Super Rugby?
- Vuna: Really want to see him start being used in a crash ball approach off a set piece. We saw some brilliant displays of strength from him, when running down the tram tracks.
- Saffy: Can he return to the form of 2011?

 

[kronic]

Btw. who's coming down to Geelong, keen for a few beers? Few of us are heading down on the 2pm train that Saturday.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I agree re Inman. It would be great to see the wallabies boast a truely large and potentially destructive option at 12/13 and inman is the only one that fits the bill.not for lack of effort on Cummins part though!
I think his time in the wallaby camp will be a significant boost to Inman
I also think Strzaker will outshadow phipps and personally, barring injury i think phipps will be our 3rd ranked half back. he is not as good as kinghi when injury free and Zaker showed great vision, pace and skill when he got some chances towards the end of the year - in some tough games at that.

I think Cooper Vuna is going to build on what was another strong season last year. I expect big things from him.

I've always hoped Inman would realise his size and finally play like a player of his dimensions. It would be nice to think that the Rebels staff have had him working hard on improving his power ratio's, as if he can up it to a new level he could be a truly destructive influence on the opposition's defensive lines.

There's another player (mind you very new to Super Rugby) that could be what many would like to see. The Force have Morrison from Norths who was very impressive against both Carter and Inman in this year's Shute Shield. If both can develop as they could, they could form a powerful centre partnership. In time.

 

[KevinO]

We can't call Inman a "Neville" type player, isn't it the blokes 5th Super Rugby season?

I hope he delivers, I've always liked the player he looked like he was becoming but he hasn't progressed as quickly as I'd like. If that makes sense.

Now that Mortlock has stopped playing hopefully he can spend a lot of time on the training paddock with him and teach him how to use his size effectively.

As for progressing quickly, not to many who have spent time at Western Force have progressed quickly so let's just hope that now that he has settled in Melbourne and got a taste of being around the Wallabies he brings his game to a new level.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Now that Mortlock has stopped playing hopefully he can spend a lot of time on the training paddock with him and teach him how to use his size effectively.

As for progressing quickly, not to many who have spent time at Western Force have progressed quickly so let's just hope that now that he has settled in Melbourne and got a taste of being around the Wallabies he brings his game to a new level.

I wouldnt say that some of our brightest prospects established and developed themselves at the force. JOC (James O'Connor). Pocock, Luke Jones, Paul Alo-Emile (If he wasnt injured), Ioane to name a few

 

[KevinO]

I wouldnt say that some of our brightest prospects established and developed themselves at the force. JOC (James O'Connor). Pocock, Luke Jones, Paul Alo-Emile (If he wasnt injured), Ioane to name a few

I am not saying that Western Force have not developed good players, I am saying that it has taken them longer to develop players compared to Reds or Tahs as they don't have the depth and experience around the club to help mentor players.

 

[Dumbledore]

Without wanting to put the Mockers on him, I reckon Luke Jones is going to have an immense season that will see him playing for the Wallabies against the Lions.

Stirzaker should come through and take Phipps' starting spot if he's given more than three-minutes of junk time at the end of every second game.

Looking forward to seeing how PAE can step up now he's injury free. He's massively, massively talented - hopefully he's given the chance to prove it. Likewise Pauliasi Manu, he was an excellent get from the Blues. Some talent in the front-row now.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

big call about jones....at whose expense do you place him in the team

 

[en_force_er]

Without wanting to put the Mockers on him, I reckon Luke Jones is going to have an immense season that will see him playing for the Wallabies against the Lions.

I struggle to see too many test debuts next year until the Spring Tour.

The reality is Robbie will back those he knows for the Lions Tour and Rugby Championship unless there's an injury that forces his hand. I suppose with all the fresh test caps this year it would be reasonably justified.

That's why is would be good to see a bloke like Neville debut this week against Wales, gives him more of a chance to be selected for the Lions.

 

[Dumbledore]

big call about jones..at whose expense do you place him in the team

Higgers and/or Dennis.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Ok but how do you propose you fit him in the Rebels team first and foremost

 

[en_force_er]

Sorry to throw water on the fire but I see Jones being used as a 6th man in the basketball sense, coming on anywhere from 4-8 for the last 30 minutes.

I can't see him starting in a fit pack unless we decide we don't want a genuine 7, which I suppose has its merits.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

I doubt the Rebs will play higgers off the bench after breaking the bank on him and i doubt they will drop Delve who is the heart and soul of team.

Playing without a genuine openside only has merits if your vs a team who doesnt have one either (which is none of the Aus Provinces) otherwise you end getting routed at the breakdown (please refer to Australia vs ireland 2011)

Neville and Pyle are better suited to lock than him as well so i really can't see Jones getting much of a start but playing off the bench he will be very handy and he can carry the torch once Delve moves on.

 

[KevinO]

Sorry to throw water on the fire but I see Jones being used as a 6th man in the basketball sense, coming on anywhere from 4-8 for the last 30 minutes.

I can't see him starting in a fit pack unless we decide we don't want a genuine 7, which I suppose has its merits.

Have to agree, is Super Rugby sticking with the 22 man squad or shifting to 23? Having Jones being able to cover so many positions allows for the extra back (4/3split) on the bench which is helpfull.

 

[Braveheart81]

I believe Super Rugby is sticking to 22 man squads.

 

[KevinO]

Any ideas if James King is likely to play this year? I think our depth at Lock looks really good.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

I think we will have Henderson, Ged and Weeks in the front row
Pyle and Neville in the 2nd row
Fuggilaster or Saffy at 7, Higgers at 6 and delve at 8.
one of our polynesian props on the bench, plus Horie
James King covering lock and Luke Jones covering 4-6.

I hope Super Rugby is adopting the trial laws. they have been good, particulrly the line out and quick line out options.

I do not think that is accurate about having a fetcher on the team.
Look at all of the south african and NZ teams who lack a fetcher and who not only beat Aus teams, but finished higher on the table than them.

A fetcher is great if you have Pocock, Hooper or players of that ilk.

With quality and fit 6,7,8 we can get by without a pocock.