Rebels 2014

[oztimmay]

Browsing twitter after the match last night and I came across this. That's the first I'd heard of it. Not overly surprising - he's struggled for game time and has had a limited impact when he's been on the field. An appropriate time to make some money in Japan.

Congrats @CVUNA for signing with Toshiba,Japan.another loss for the @MelbourneRebels
Retweeted by Cooper Vuna

It is a shame, but you might as well make hay while the sun shines. I think with the current stock of wingers and utility backs who can play win he probably saw the writing on the wall. At least we can say we helped him achieve his goal of Wallaby representation.

 

[James Buchanan]

I'm fairly indifferent about Vuna leaving. Yes he can be a real bustling runner on the attack, but rugby is a game that goes two ways and his form is erratic generally. Even when he is on song, he has a bad habit of running away from support and getting isolated. English has looked like a far better wing prospect this year and I have liked what I have seen from Situati. It is entirely possible that Vuna could be pushed out of the best 15 next year.

 

[Hawko]

I'm fairly indifferent about Vuna leaving. Yes he can be a real bustling runner on the attack, but rugby is a game that goes two ways and his form is erratic generally. Even when he is on song, he has a bad habit of running away from support and getting isolated. English has looked like a far better wing prospect this year and I have liked what I have seen from Situati. It is entirely possible that Vuna could be pushed out of the best 15 next year.

Given Kingston will be a step up from both English and Sitauti; Vuna got out at the very best time he could for his career. Wallabies and Super rugby on the resume and before he gets dropped in favour of wingers with defensive skills.

 

[Bruce Ross]

agree. anyone know much about todd louden - would he be any good?

If deans loses the wallabies gig, he will want redemption at international level and soon. if mckenzie doesn't get it, he'll want to aim for post 2015 WC. either way those guys would be a maximum two year appointment which is not what we need.

I'm more than happy to assist you, Sir Arthur.

In 2004 as Director of Rugby at Sydney University Todd Louden implemented their EDS (Elite Development Squad) program which is still operating and is the foundation for their status as No. 1 Club in Australia. In that year Uni won the Sydney Club Championship with all nine grades contesting the finals. In the years since the implementation of the EDS system Sydney Uni has been producing more professional rugby players than any other club in the world.

In the 2004-2005 season he was Head Coach of Meiji University which participates in Japan’s 120 Collegiate Rugby Program. Louden took them from 68th to the top eight.

In 2006 he returned to Sydney as Head Coach of Randwick. Their 1st XV advanced from 9th to Minor Premiers. They were narrowly beaten in the Grand Final by Sydney Uni who were forced to make more than 300 tackles during the match. Louden was named Sydney Premiership Coach of the Year.

The next season he moved to South Africa as Attack Coach with Heineke Meyer’s Blue Bulls who went from 5th to winning the Super 14. They were the first South African team to win a Super title, with their success widely attributed to their new attacking style.

In 2008 he was appointed Attack Coach with the NSW Waratahs under Ewen McKenzie. The ‘Tahs went from 13th in 2007 to 2nd before being beaten in the Grand Final.

In the 2008-2009 season he went back to Japan as Head Coach of the Ricoh Black Rams, who had been relegated to Second Division status. Under Louden’s guidance Ricoh were undefeated in the Top East League and therefore qualified to play the winners of the other two second level leagues to determine who was to be promoted to the Top League. By winning both games Ricoh not only returned to Top League but also qualified for the All-Japan Rugby Football Championships, playing against Top League teams as well as the top two university teams. Ricoh were eventually beaten at the semi-final stage of the All-Japan Championships. In the following two seasons while Louden was there Ricoh finished 9th and 8th in the Top League.

When he came back to Sydney Uni as Head Coach in 2011 he implemented an expanded version of the EDS by establishing an additional Wider Training Group (WTG), so well over a hundred Grade and Colts players were involved in a professional style training regime. There was also a much greater focus on skills acquisition. Although Uni 1sts were beaten in the Grand Final that year the Club still won 4 out of the 7 grades contested. Last year Uni won 5 out of 7 grades with only 4th Grade and 3rd Colts missing out.

So Louden’s record as an assistant coach in Super Rugby reads: 2007 Bulls 5th to 1st; and 2008 Waratahs 13th to 2nd.

And his success in improving the performance of every Club with which he has been associated means that he may be exactly what is needed in Victoria where the challenge is not just to improve the standing of the Rebels but also to integrate the professional franchise with Melbourne club rugby.

And of course he's available to hit the ground running as soon as he is called upon, given that he is presently vegetating up at Nelson's Bay without any professional gig.
.

 

[Tex]

Thanks Bruce. Is he a candidate?

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

I'm more than happy to assist you, Sir Arthur.

.

thanks for biting, bruce. though i suspect you did so knowingly.

 

[James Buchanan]

Given Kingston will be a step up from both English and Sitauti; Vuna got out at the very best time he could for his career. Wallabies and Super rugby on the resume and before he gets dropped in favour of wingers with defensive skills.

Potentially. English has far exceeded expectations this season and may just be a bit of a late bloomer. I am hesitant to say that someone who was better as a schoolboy is intrinsically better as an adult. Kingston does add something new to the mix though.

If we are being realistic, Vuna probably wanted a higher paycheck than the Rebels were willing to give him and Japan was willing to provide that paycheck. Vuna will do admirably in the Japanese competition, where his physicality will allow him to shine and avoid the whole 'getting isolated' problem.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Thanks Bruce. Is he a candidate?

I have no doubt, Tex, that Louden would relish the challenge.
.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I'm more than happy to assist you, Sir Arthur.

In 2004 as Director of Rugby at Sydney University Todd Louden implemented their EDS (Elite Development Squad) program which is still operating and is the foundation for their status as No. 1 Club in Australia. In that year Uni won the Sydney Club Championship with all nine grades contesting the finals. In the years since the implementation of the EDS system Sydney Uni has been producing more professional rugby players than any other club in the world.

In the 2004-2005 season he was Head Coach of Meiji University which participates in Japan’s 120 Collegiate Rugby Program. Louden took them from 68th to the top eight.

In 2006 he returned to Sydney as Head Coach of Randwick. Their 1st XV advanced from 9th to Minor Premiers. They were narrowly beaten in the Grand Final by Sydney Uni who were forced to make more than 300 tackles during the match. Louden was named Sydney Premiership Coach of the Year.

The next season he moved to South Africa as Attack Coach with Heineke Meyer’s Blue Bulls who went from 5th to winning the Super 14. They were the first South African team to win a Super title, with their success widely attributed to their new attacking style.

In 2008 he was appointed Attack Coach with the NSW Waratahs under Ewen McKenzie. The ‘Tahs went from 13th in 2007 to 2nd before being beaten in the Grand Final.

In the 2008-2009 season he went back to Japan as Head Coach of the Ricoh Black Rams, who had been relegated to Second Division status. Under Louden’s guidance Ricoh were undefeated in the Top East League and therefore qualified to play the winners of the other two second level leagues to determine who was to be promoted to the Top League. By winning both games Ricoh not only returned to Top League but also qualified for the All-Japan Rugby Football Championships, playing against Top League teams as well as the top two university teams. Ricoh were eventually beaten at the semi-final stage of the All-Japan Championships. In the following two seasons while Louden was there Ricoh finished 9th and 8th in the Top League.

When he came back to Sydney Uni as Head Coach in 2011 he implemented an expanded version of the EDS by establishing an additional Wider Training Group (WTG), so well over a hundred Grade and Colts players were involved in a professional style training regime. There was also a much greater focus on skills acquisition. Although Uni 1sts were beaten in the Grand Final that year the Club still won 4 out of the 7 grades contested. Last year Uni won 5 out of 7 grades with only 4th Grade and 3rd Colts missing out.

So Louden’s record as an assistant coach in Super Rugby reads: 2007 Bulls 5th to 1st; and 2008 Waratahs 13th to 2nd.

And his success in improving the performance of every Club with which he has been associated means that he may be exactly what is needed in Victoria where the challenge is not just to improve the standing of the Rebels but also to integrate the professional franchise with Melbourne club rugby.

And of course he's available to hit the ground running as soon as he is called upon, given that he is presently vegetating up at Nelson's Bay without any professional gig.
.

Surely there's an opening for an attack coach at the Wallabies? With that record he could make a big difference.

 

[daz]

Vuna will do admirably in the Japanese competition, where his physicality will allow him to shine

Do they not tackle in Japan? If not, I can see why that competition would be attractive to Cooper.

 

[oztimmay]

Change of ownership at the Rebels:

http://www.melbournerebels.com.au/News/ArticleDetails/tabid/270/ArticleID/9648/Default.aspx

 

[KevinO]

VRU which means ARU have complete control of all 5 franchises now.

 

[p.Tah]

without a wealthy investor can the Rebels afford players such as Beale and JOC (James O'Connor) in the future?

 

[Zander]

Maybe they should change the name to the Victorian Rebels now.

 

[KevinO]

Maybe they should change the name to the Victorian Rebels now.

Just does not roll off the tongue as well as the Melbourne
Rebels

without a wealthy investor can the Rebels afford players such as Beale and JOC (James O'Connor) in the future?

As long as we are still getting the money from sponsors we will. Just means the ARU is going to have more say in who we approach.

 

[oztimmay]

Interesting piece on the VRU ARU takeover of the Rebels:

http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/rebels-owners-hand-back-licence-20130627-2oyy9.html

Bill admits in the Article the ARU should have done more up-front \to start the franchise (in terms of capital) and really paints a glowing picture for future investors (i.e. if you wanana blow your money, invest in Rugby). Seems like he needs to do his sales training again...

Also saw this on the whole coaching merry-go-round:

http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-unio...es-line-up-for-rebels-job-20130627-2ozit.html

Tony McGahan is on te short-list with Hill. No other names have been made public - yet. bruce ross you might need to give Rob Clarke a call and tell him to read your post on Todd. Seems he may have missed it

 

[en_force_er]

As long as we are still getting the money from sponsors we will. Just means the ARU is going to have more say in who we approach.

They already did. The old, if you go here you'll get an okay top-up but if you go here you'll get a great top up is how they've been doing it.

 

[KevinO]

Tony McGahan is on te short-list with Hill. No other names have been made public - yet. bruce ross you might need to give Rob Clarke a call and tell him to read your post on Todd. Seems he may have missed it

Please no to Tony McGahan, horrible choice in coach. He failed horribly at Munster before he became Deans assistant. He has the worst Heineken Cup results in there history.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Tony McGahan is on te short-list with Hill. No other names have been made public - yet. bruce ross you might need to give Rob Clarke a call and tell him to read your post on Todd. Seems he may have missed it

In a rational universe Todd Louden would be a shoo-in, despite the candidacy of Totality Tony McGahan. But my money would be on a golf-playing Shore Old Boy with a similarly high rugby profile to Bill Pulver.

Australian rugby may be in an agonisingly slow death spiral but at least the well brought up chaps will always look after one another.
.

 

[I like to watch]

Bet they won't be able to find said Golf playing Shore Old boy without a worldwide search first.