Rebels 2015

[Dctarget]

This hurts.

Very lucky Rebels, along with Placid and some of the others, the backline is shaping up quite nicely.

 

[LRB]

As a reds fan the loss of Shipperley and Placid to the Rebels hurt, but at least they are remaining part of Australian rugby. Although I would still prefer both of them to JOC (James O'Connor), but that is another thread.

 

[Braveheart81]

If you see any oversized novelty cakes today, beware. Daz might be hiding naked inside ready to jump out and wish Mitch a happy birthday.

 

[Dumbledore]

As disappointed I am about the Rising loss, is PAE the most exciting young player in Australian rugby? If his development continues at this rate Kepu had better start looking over his shoulder.

 

[oztimmay]

As disappointed I am about the Rising loss, is PAE the most exciting young player in Australian rugby? If his development continues at this rate Kepu had better start looking over his shoulder.

Spot on. The thing I worry about is trying to keep both weeks and PAE in the same side. Both are starting quality super players and it will be tough to keep if they both don't get regular time.

 

[Highlander35]

Development has been invaluable. Given that we've now lost, I would've preferred Toby and Paul to be on that plane to London.

The ones I'm really happy about though are Jeffries, Sefa and Placid. Now that they've played here, I'm much more confident about them in playing at Super level.

EDIT: And if Metcher is as good as people in NSW clubland think he is, maybe we don't need both Weeks and Paul. Of course, it may come down to a similar decision between Ah-Nau and Lahiff, which would be worrisome.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Cruze should come home at the end of next year to replace Pek.

 

[Dumbledore]

Spot on. The thing I worry about is trying to keep both weeks and PAE in the same side. Both are starting quality super players and it will be tough to keep if they both don't get regular time.

Weeks is just going to have to cop it. On current evidence PAE is the better player and he still has plenty of room to grow.

Try aside, Placid was truly awful today. He's got a way to go before he's ready for the Soup. Positioning was all over the shop, and does he actually know how to pass? Debreczeni too. His decision making was seriously shoddy under pressure, and that's exactly what made him so bad when he had some game time at the end of last season.

I thought Timani had an excellent first half. We should be seeing more of him in blue next year.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Development has been invaluable. Given that we've now lost, I would've preferred Toby and Paul to be on that plane to London.

The ones I'm really happy about though are Jeffries, Sefa and Placid. Now that they've played here, I'm much more confident about them in playing at Super level.

EDIT: And if Metcher is as good as people in NSW clubland think he is, maybe we don't need both Weeks and Paul. Of course, it may come down to a similar decision between Ah-Nau and Lahiff, which would be worrisome.

Smith + PAE > Benn + Ben

Weeks is just going to have to cop it. On current evidence PAE is the better player and he still has plenty of room to grow.

Try aside, Placid was truly awful today. He's got a way to go before he's ready for the Soup. Positioning was all over the shop, and does he actually know how to pass? Debreczeni too. His decision making was seriously shoddy under pressure, and that's exactly what made him so bad when he had some game time at the end of last season.

I thought Timani had an excellent first half. We should be seeing more of him in blue next year.

^ Totally agree with all of that.

 

[Train Without a Station]

Haha love it. PAE is BETTER than Weeks on evidence that he's towelled up teams full of club players all year

 

[Ash]

I rate PAE higher than Weeks. PAE did better than Weeks vs those same club players. Although there's not a whole lot between them now, I think that PAE has a higher potential than Weeks.

 

[swingpass]

[quote="Dumbledore, post: 683516, member: 3528

Try aside, Placid was truly awful today. He's got a way to go before he's ready for the Soup. Positioning was all over the shop, and does he actually know how to pass? Debreczeni too. His decision making was seriously shoddy under pressure, and that's exactly what made him so bad when he had some game time at the end of last season.
.[/quote]

completely agree. Placid on at least two occaisons yesterday held on when he should have passed, reminiscent of his U20's performances.Jack D had his worst game by far, option taking was very poor. still very much a work in progress. i suspect Harris will be ahead of him and Hegarty at 10 next year

 

[199madmave]

Timani has had a great NRC season - would have been my pick for player of the tournament. Jack D may be more suited to AFL!!!

 

[Sully]

Timani has had a great NRC season - would have been my pick for player of the tournament.

I was half expecting a wallaby call up when Palu and McCalman went down.

 

[hammertimethere]

Maybe in 2016. Anyone want to put in a tip for the rebels top XV to start 2015?

 

[Dumbledore]

I was half expecting a wallaby call up when Palu and McCalman went down.

Nah. His hands are way too dodgy and you can't just drop a forearm on Test players and expect to bounce them. The first half yesterday was the best I've seen him play. Was 40 minutes of consistent goodness where he really picked up some of the workload from Jones and McMahon.

If he wants to take the next step up I think he'd be well served by dropping five kilos, building his tank and spending so much time working on his ball-handling that he never wants to see a rugby ball again.

 

[Dumbledore]

Maybe in 2016. Anyone want to put in a tip for the rebels top XV to start 2015?

Too early to tell I reckon. No idea what sort of gameplan they want. If it is going to be another year of hacking the ball down the middle of the park then Debreczeni or even Harris might well get the nod over Hegarty.

Will we see a Jones - McMahon - Higgers backrow? Or will Jones be at lock with McMahon at six? Might even see McMahon on the bench again if they want to persist with Colby and Fuglistaller.

Stirzaker or Burgess? PAE or Weeks? Sexton, Leafa or Horie? The wings are going to be stacked as well. English, Kingston, Shipperly, Veainu and Crawford are all starting-level players. Maybe Veainu or Crawford will play fullback while Placid gets up to pace?

There seems to be competition for spots, and genuine depth emerging. But I thought that last year and look how that turned out.

 

[qwerty51]

1. Toby Smith
2. Pat Leafa
3. Paul Alo-Emile
4. Luke Jones
5. Caydern Neville
6. Colby Fainga'a
7. Sean McMahon
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Nic Stirzaker
10. Mike Harris
11. Dom Shipperly
12. Mitch Inman
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Tom English
15. Cam Crawford

16. Tom Sexton
17. Cruze Ah-Nau
18. Laurie Weeks
19. Sam Jeffries
20. Lopeti Timani
21. Luke Burgess
22. Jack Debreczeni
23. Tom Kingston

 

[Highlander35]

Not a bad side, but no Ellison or Horie is probably a bit unrealistic.

Gonna be close between Fugs, Colby, Sean and Lopeti.

 

[KevinO]

1. Toby Smith
2. Pat Leafa
3. Paul Alo-Emile
4. Luke Jones
5. Caydern Neville
6. Colby Fainga'a
7. Sean McMahon
8. Scott Higginbotham
9. Nic Stirzaker
10. Mike Harris
11. Dom Shipperly
12. Mitch Inman
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Tom English
15. Cam Crawford

16. Tom Sexton
17. Cruze Ah-Nau
18. Laurie Weeks
19. Sam Jeffries
20. Lopeti Timani
21. Luke Burgess
22. Jack Debreczeni
23. Tom Kingston

Hegarty will be starting at 10.

Harris will either play 12 or 15,

Inman is out of place at 12, we need a second play maker so I would go with Harris at 12 and Ellison at 13 with Inman to come on with 20 minutes as a Impact sub.

I think Stirzaker needs another season behind burgo, the NRC has been good for him but Burgo still looks a level above when he comes on in the last quarter of the game.