Rebels 2013

[Dumbledore]

then why did they offer him a contract this time. he was in the original EPS/wider training group/hangers on in 2010 but then went to france. i agree he is small but think his defence is generally pretty good and certainly better one on one than vuna is. think 5/2 shows how Rebels hope to win game against best defence. not sure i agree but missing beale, JOC (James O'Connor) and vuna probably have little option but to go fast and wide with the piggies and tire out a depleted stormers pack at the end of a long tour.

hope it works

Just my suspicion. It's not something the club would really know until he actually got out on the park either. He just seemed to get absolutely beasted in contact almost every time he ran the ball earlier in the year - although that wasn't helped by the fact that he was used as the blind winger coming inside for the crash ball :/ Works fine if you're Cooper Vuna, not so much if you're 70kg wringing wet. He does seems like a talented guy, I'd have had him on the bench for this. I reckon they'll be looking to Woodward for 10 cover though.

 

[en_force_er]

Based on what I've seen of him (mostly Rebs trial games) he's the kind of bloke who makes his tackles but conceeds plenty of metres in doing so.

So yes, he's not going to let many guys through on his wing but he'll give them a bloody great platform.

However, the day that I saw him play for the longest he was marking Savea which is a hard task.

 

[oztimmay]

Interesting news article hailing the arrival of Stirzaker and Bryce. One line got my interest:

Stirzaker and Hegarty are among 13 of the starting XV tonight to have committed to the Rebels for next season and beyond. Only prop Ged Robinson, who is returning to New Zealand, and flanker Jarrod Saffy are likely to be elsewhere in 2014.

Article Link

I'll look over the bit about a Hooker being called a Prop, but I didn't realize Saffy was sniffing around elsewhere. More news ltd pot stirring or is there some element of truth to this? Guess it may come down to a call between him and Jones, and well Jones can play more positions than Saffy. Would hate to lose them both, but we've brought up big on loose forwards and something probably has to give.

 

[James Buchanan]

I'll look over the bit about a Hooker being called a Prop, but I didn't realize Saffy was sniffing around elsewhere. More news ltd pot stirring or is there some element of truth to this? Guess it may come down to a call between him and Jones, and well Jones can play more positions than Saffy. Would hate to lose them both, but we've brought up big on loose forwards and something probably has to give.

I was thinking that we were recruiting/promoting more than we were losing, but then I had a look at it and we really aren't.

Currently we've recruited Lopeti and are promoting Reid. We are definitely losing Delve and as I understand it Davidson. So currently we're retaining the same number of loose forwards on full contracts. If we lose Saffy, then we're actually going to be losing one.

EDIT: Ah crap, I forgot about Fainga'a. I guess there's probably one more to lose then yeah.

I also agree that it would have to come down to a call between him and Jones (since they're the ones left to sign) and whilst Saffy appears to have form on Jones, I believe that Jones has much more upside to his development in addition to the more numerous positions he can play. Also, SMH is reporting that we are close to announcing his re-signature.

FURTHER EDIT: Something else which comes out of that article that some fans may not be so appreciative is the implication that both Henderson and Mitchell will both be at the club in 2014, given that they are both in the starting XV and as such would be part of the 13 player who have recommitted to the club.

 

[Scooter]

The Rebels have released Eddie Aholelei for a month to represent Tonga at the IRB Pacific Nations Cup against Japan, Canada, USA and Fiji.

 

[stoff]

I would be appreciative if Lachie Mitchell was retained. Sure he is never going to be an absolute superstar of the competition, and he has his shortcomings, but his passion and effort are the sort of thing you need around a club. I imagine he is the type of guy who has massive respect from his team mates. I'm surprised there isn't more Tom Carter like love for the guy.

 

[en_force_er]

I would be appreciative if Lachie Mitchell was retained. Sure he is never going to be an absolute superstar of the competition, and he has his shortcomings, but his passion and effort are the sort of thing you need around a club. I imagine he is the type of guy who has massive respect from his team mates. I'm surprised there isn't more Tom Carter like love for the guy.

Tom Carter can't be your choice of example. Other than the NSW coaching staff I can barely think of a soul who has his back.

 

[RoffsChoice]

It's been a good two years since anyone here praised Tom Carter. Judging by the Tahs right now, it'll be two more.

 

[KevinO]

Please no to Tony McGahan,

Worst possible coach we could get, the Wallabies have gone to S*it since he has been involved. He was horrible at Munster, they missed the Heineken Cup quarter finals for the first time with him as head coach. All reports are none of the Munster players liked his coaching style, he failed with one of the most successful clubs in Europe, he would really fail with a team that is still building.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...-understudy-role/story-e6frg7o6-1226644835015

 

[stoff]

Tom Carter can't be your choice of example. Other than the NSW coaching staff I can barely think of a soul who has his back.

Fair call. Upon review of a few old threads, it seems I may have been a touch off the mark with that comparison.

 

[en_force_er]

Please no to Tony McGahan,

Worst possible coach we could get, the Wallabies have gone to S*it since he has been involved. He was horrible at Munster, they missed the Heineken Cup quarter finals for the first time with him as head coach. All reports are none of the Munster players liked his coaching style, he failed with one of the most successful clubs in Europe, he would really fail with a team that is still building.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...-understudy-role/story-e6frg7o6-1226644835015

I've only heard positive things about him up until this point.

Fair call. Upon review of a few old threads, it seems I may have been a touch off the mark with that comparison.

Yeah. Look, if Mitchell is willing to except the fees of a bench quality player you'd keep him.

He's a bloody hard worker and nothing I've seen from him suggests he is anything less than a spectacular bloke. He's also played well in past seasons and at 25 he's got plenty of years in him to play that way again.

I like him and I don't want him kicked to the curb, but in the 2014 team selection sheet that every coach has at the back of him mind (and Hill, hoping to be the 2014 coach would be no different) I hope there's no 12 or 11 next to his name and I certainly hope there's no large dollar amount connected to him.

 

[KevinO]

Jones to stay a Rebel
In other player news, the Rebels are expected to announce the re-signing of versatile forward Luke Jones in coming days. Melbourne have fended off interest from the Waratahs and Force to retain the promising youngster. He is not the only player expected to stay put. Despite overtures from the Force, indications are Test centre Rob Horne will stay in Sydney, where he has enjoyed a form resurgence at No.12.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/coach-race-a-mini-tri-nations-20130516-2jpbn.html#ixzz2TVL7oelv

 

[KevinO]

I've only heard positive things about him up until this point.

Well of all the coaches names dropped in this tread it is certainly the worst I've heard.

Yes, he won the Rabo Direct final. Only reason is Munster was already out of the Heineken Cup so could play all the big names every game to get them their. He took the side that had just won the Heineken Cup and missed the knock out stages the following year. (Only time Munster has not made the knockout stages)

 

[en_force_er]

Well of all the coaches names dropped in this tread it is certainly the worst I've heard.

Yes, he won the Rabo Direct final. Only reason is Munster was already out of the Heineken Cup so could play all the big names every game to get them their. He took the side that had just won the Heineken Cup and missed the knock out stages the following year. (Only time Munster has not made the knockout stages)

I don't think you'll find that'll be a massive issue in Super rugby. If your issue were tactics or anything it'd be different.

I was expecting you to paint him as a John Mitchell figure.

Great news on Jones, don't know what he did to go from our best forward (as said by basically the whole Rebels coaching staff) to a bench player getting little minutes. Saffy's been great though.

 

[KevinO]

I don't think you'll find that'll be a massive issue in Super rugby. If your issue were tactics or anything it'd be different.

I was expecting you to paint him as a John Mitchell figure.

Great news on Jones, don't know what he did to go from our best forward (as said by basically the whole Rebels coaching staff) to a bench player getting little minutes. Saffy's been great though.

His tactics are pretty poor, his a defensive coach at best, not a head coach of a Super Rugby team.

 

[eastman]

Regarding Alex Rokabaro- his recruitment basically came down to the Head Recruiter's past affiliations and friendships with Sydney Uni players. Also explains players like Trent Dyer and Tom English getting development contracts

 

[James Buchanan]

Regarding Alex Rokabaro- his recruitment basically came down to the Head Recruiter's past affiliations and friendships with Sydney Uni players. Also explains players like Trent Dyer and Tom English getting development contracts

To be fair, that has worked out quite well with Tom English. He's taken his opportunities this year.

 

[Dumbledore]

As long as the next coach isn't Nucifora I'll be reasonably happy. I think Hill's got the team moving relatively well this year. We're actually scoring for one thing. But, we consistently get dominated and lose the ball at the breakdown. Our defence is a shambles, both on transition and when we get the line set. And we don't win games, even when we should. The fundamental really just haven't been good enough - ball handling in particular has been a disgrace.

 

[swingpass]

Regarding Alex Rokabaro- his recruitment basically came down to the Head Recruiter's past affiliations and friendships with Sydney Uni players. Also explains players like Trent Dyer and Tom English getting development contracts

i thought sam Cordingley was head hunter, ? no / any association with Syd Uni. I know Rokabrao played there previously.

(ps i dont dislike him as a player just cant understand putting him on the list if you aren't going to use him when you run out of backs !)

 

[en_force_er]

i thought sam Cordingley was head hunter, ? no / any association with Syd Uni. I know Rokabrao played there previously.

(ps i dont dislike him as a player just cant understand putting him on the list if you aren't going to use him when you run out of backs !)

He's Qld head hunter, I've forgotten who the NSW one is. Perhaps Hilly is familiar enough with Sydney blokes to do it himself.