Rebels 2014

[en_force_er]

I don't care I've been picking players for over 15 years


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As a coach myself, you have to change your tune sometimes.

I think he's been good all things considered, he varies his options well and supports hard. Doesn't look like he'll reach the dizzying heights of test rugby, but looks like a good 10 to stick by at this level none-the-less.

It's certainly more meaningful for me that Hegs has been consistently serviceable at Super level than the fact the Jack Deb has been dominant in the Shute Shield.

 

[Train Without a Station]

I saw Jack play a few weeks ago in the Dewar Shield. Certainly didn't look too impressive.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

Wallabies squad on Thursday, is it time to speculate on how few rebels will make the squad? I honestly think we have the best scrum in the conference when it's at full strength (so the pack on Saturday plus Horie), even our reserve props are good scrummagers which gives up points over the brumbies. However I doubt this will reflect as much in the squad as I want it too.

Guaranteed:
Higgers

Probable:
Luke Jones

Possibles & Smokies:
Toby Smith
Mitch Inman
Tom English
Cadryn Neville
Sean McMahon

I think (hope) link might be looking very closely at Toby Smith, doesn't rank above Slipper but is out performing fat cat and has more experience than Sio (though Sio is doing very well). Great scrummager and excellent defender, saw him throw a few passes and offloads on Saturday too.

 

[Braveheart81]

i would be very surprised if higgers is cited for either the bump or the head butt

He hasn't been cited yet so it would be very unlikely to happen at this point.

I think you can assume he's available.

 

[Tex]

Wallabies squad on Thursday, is it time to speculate on how few rebels will make the squad? I honestly think we have the best scrum in the conference when it's at full strength (so the pack on Saturday plus Horie), even our reserve props are good scrummagers which gives up points over the brumbies. However I doubt this will reflect as much in the squad as I want it too.

Guaranteed:
Higgers

Probable:
Luke Jones

Possibles & Smokies:
Toby Smith
Mitch Inman
Tom English
Cadryn Neville
Sean McMahon

I think (hope) link might be looking very closely at Toby Smith, doesn't rank above Slipper but is out performing fat cat and has more experience than Sio (though Sio is doing very well). Great scrummager and excellent defender, saw him throw a few passes and offloads on Saturday too.

I reckon McMahon and Smith might be good strategic picks from Link, if only to get them into the system and contributing.

 

[Scythe]

As a coach myself, you have to change your tune sometimes.

I think he's been good all things considered, he varies his options well and supports hard. Doesn't look like he'll reach the dizzying heights of test rugby, but looks like a good 10 to stick by at this level none-the-less.

It's certainly more meaningful for me that Hegs has been consistently serviceable at Super level than the fact the Jack Deb has been dominant in the Shute Shield.

You are right I think he is a good 7/10 and reliable but always looking for that guy to take it to the next level in the test arena

That being said he is young and has plenty of time to make an impact


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[Braveheart81]

McMahon won't be picked for the June series because he is captain of the Under 20s.

It would be silly for the ARU to remove the captain from the under 20s side to be part of a Wallaby squad in which he'd be unlikely to play.

It would make far more sense to let him go to the under 20 world cup and then join the squad for the Rugby Championship to get some experience there (assuming he is close to selection there).

 

[Train Without a Station]

Also it would be silly for a strategic squad pick of a player who has yet to prove he isn't a "notter". In addition, every team has a gun loosie, it's not like there is a shortage and they need to be nurtured.

 

[daz]

I'm tipping Jones, Inman and Toby Smith to be picked on Thursday.

One of them will be picked because he has proven he deserves it, full stop.
One of them will be picked because I think he has proven he is a solid player in a key position that traditionally needs injury cover, and he would be a very respectable reserve.
One of them will be picked because I demand it.

You can figure out who is what.




EDIT: I didn't mention Higgers, but only because he is a certainty. I'm just talking about possibles.

 

[Train Without a Station]

I think you may end up disappointed on Inman Daz. The fact he is playing 12 probably won't help either. I think English would be more of a chance really.

If Jones isn't picked it is an absolutely travesty. If he isn't capped it is. Considering his form and versatility he cannot be overlooked.

Smith is an interesting one. One would think it would only be at the expense of Robinson if he was picked.

 

[Dumbledore]

Smith's unlucky in as much as we actually have some pretty good looseheads in Slipper, Sio and Longbottom. I'd definitely have him in the top five props in Australia, but that's as much an indictment of our tightheads as anything else.

 

[daz]

I think you may end up disappointed on Inman Daz.

I'll NEVER be disappointed by Mitch, TWAS!

Your point however is a good one. But Inman's defensive ability coupled with a much-improved attacking capability may just be enough. And he can play 80, week in, week out. Most of his peers are injury prone.

I know he is a true smokey for the squad, but everyone has a favourite player and I reckon he is in with a shot.

Tom English is a future Wallaby, no doubt, but at best I see him on the EOYT this year. I also see him as the Rebels 13 in 2015.

Toby Smith is a real chance. The Rebels pack has been excellent this year, but I'm not sure any of them are far enough developed to be any real chance of a call up, except Smith.

 

[swingpass]

i'll put my two cents in.

I think Jones should be in, and probably Smith also.
Neville is a REAL hot chance, he is playing well, has been a tourist before, and if they overlook Kane Douglas he is the next one of his type, hard grafter, rock solid scrummager, capable in the lineout, and very good defender. I would seriously consider him above any other outside chance

 

[en_force_er]

Smith's unlucky in as much as we actually have some pretty good looseheads in Slipper, Sio and Longbottom. I'd definitely have him in the top five props in Australia, but that's as much an indictment of our tightheads as anything else.

And arguably Alexander!

If you decide to count Slipper as a TH (more than possible) Smith makes it, specially since I think he's a better prop than Longbottom.

 

[Tex]

On another note, I'm once again disappointed by the media coverage of the Rebels victory on the weekend. I understand how contentious the decision at the end was, but the lion's share of commentary in the papers and blogs like theroar focuses on the Reds' loss and injuries, with footnotes afforded to the Rebels.

 

[Dumbledore]

On another note, I'm once again disappointed by the media coverage of the Rebels victory on the weekend. I understand how contentious the decision at the end was, but the lion's share of commentary in the papers and blogs like theroar focuses on the Reds' loss and injuries, with footnotes afforded to the Rebels.

Have to understand where most of the rugby commentariat is based in this country though. Plenty of casual Reds fans who aren't happy to see the good times go. That plus a general disrespect for the Rebels, not entirely unfair based on history, leads to this sort of coverage. Look at the Tigers and Melbourne footy game this week. There's been brief mention of the Dees starting to look like a proper team, but most of the narrative has been about the Tigers - what they do from here and who's to blame. The Tigers fans have had no external source of blame, so they've gone after the coach and the players. The Reds fans have, instead, had Walsh and the TMO to go after. Been compounded by a whole lot of people giving Horwill a kicking, lead to a general circling of the wagons. Frustrating from our POV, but somewhat understandable.

 

[daz]

On another note, I'm once again disappointed by the media coverage of the Rebels victory on the weekend. I understand how contentious the decision at the end was, but the lion's share of commentary in the papers and blogs like theroar focuses on the Reds' loss and injuries, with footnotes afforded to the Rebels.

We made the back page of the Herald, and had almost a full page just inside after the AFL. Plus mentions on all Melbourne TV news. That's really as good as we can get here in Melbourne right now.

Let the other states worry about their team. They really couldn't give a toss about us, and fair enough too.

Foxsports on the other hand, really don't give us the time of day. That rankles me a bit, but culturally it's a Syd/Bris-centric sport, so it will take some time to change things there. Even the Force have a hard time getting noticed in the East, and they are finals contenders!

 

[Tomikin]

I reckon McMahon and Smith might be good strategic picks from Link, if only to get them into the system and contributing.

Is there a reason you would pick McMahon, when he isn't even starting for the Rebels, I think his got talent, but you would hope he would be a regular starter in your pack, and after Colbys game on the weekend he could spend longer on the pine..

I would also wonder who you would pick him infront of possiably back up what ?

I think let him go to the Under 20's build experience start at the Rebels, at his best position (which is ? ).

Then look at merging him into the Wallabies, which I think will be after next years RWC.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Only a rebels supporter would advocate picking him. There's 65 starting players to go into 32 spots for the wallaby squad. If you can't make your starting team without injuries, you probably don't deserve to be there. Yet.

 

[KevinO]

Higgers is a yes
Jones is a should

Smith is a good shot

Neville, Inman and English are long shots.

Reason I don't think Inman, is unless he lines up at 12 with 13 being AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) I can't see him getting a gig.

12 Inman 13 Kuridrani would be a crazy combo in the centers. Two big ball runners in attack but not really known for there passing games.