Rebels 2017

[amirite]

I think the right thing to do for the Rebels is to deem Timani or McMahon as our 'specialist 8'. They've certainly been building those skills in Wallabies camp.

Then we've got Mafi and Fainga'a, and the young developing Leota.

I like Viiaga though. I think the real need for a player like him is probably with the Brumbies who only have the glassman Fakaosilea and Butler who despite doing a decent job is 'non-traditional' for the role.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Any word on Jack McGregor's knee rehab?

In my humble non medical opinion he should be not too far away from starting to get back into running by now following his ACL injury earlier this year.

Has he been allocated to a VRU club?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Jack Maddocks?

 

[Braveheart81]

Jack Maddocks?

The Rebels have both.

McGregor is a former Australian schoolboys 10 who then tore his ACL so he missed the 2016 under 20s.

He would have been the first choice NSW 10.

 

[Brumby Runner]

And Maddocks was a standout No 15 for the 2016 U20s who also suffered an injury that kept him out of the NRC. Will be interesting to see how both go.

 

[Highlander35]

Nobodies been allocated yet AFAIK.

Based on the departures, there's gaps at Power House (3), Moorabin (3), Souths (1), Unicorns (1), Quins (2).

 

[amirite]

If you look at the clubs that need them, I think a reshuffle is more likely than players being allotted as above.

Uni desperately needs super talent and all their players are either in the XV every week, or with the 20s all season.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

And Maddocks was a standout No 15 for the 2016 U20s who also suffered an injury that kept him out of the NRC. Will be interesting to see how both go.

The Rebels Team Rehab list has Maddocks out indefinitely with an illness. Being one to speculate, it sounds like it could be Glandular Fever. That is the sort of illness that can have an indefinite duration and it can really knocks the daylights out of a young professional athlete's strength and conditioning program.

If it is he should be looking to make a graduated return to the field after Christmas.

Both Jack's (Maddocks and MacGregor) are eligible for U20's next year, as are many others from the Rebels 2016 U20 squad. I'm picking that the 2017 Rebels U20's achieve similar results to this years team. Things are looking up for the Vics.

The Rebels have both.

McGregor is a former Australian schoolboys 10 who then tore his ACL so he missed the 2016 under 20s.

He would have been the first choice NSW 10.

Yet another Jack (Clancey - NSW country bred from Young) would probably have been NSW U20's first choice First Five if he similarly hadn't done a knee in the preseason, before Jack Mac did his.

MacGregor will be an interesting work in progress as he has never played a competition game of Senior Rugby. (Under "normal" Rugby Laws as opposed to the Under 19 Variation Laws). He is a tough nut, having played most of his school footy an age group up from his actual cohort, and I reckon he will not disappoint after he acclimatises himself to his new environment.

McGregor and Henry Hutchison graduated from the same High School, and are of similar age. Hutchison has never looked out of place in Senior Footy (7's or XV's for the Wicks). Should be the same for Jack McG.

 

[amirite]

Both Jack's (Maddocks and MacGregor) are eligible for U20's next year, as are many others from the Rebels 2016 U20 squad. I'm picking that the 2017 Rebels U20's achieve similar results to this years team. Things are looking up for the Vics.

Are you sure Maddock is? I'm not sure about that, but you're right that a large percentage of that squad repeats.

Of the Rebels Grand Final team these blokes repeat:

1. Mahe Vailanu (Harlequin)
2. JP Sauni (Endeavour Hills) - could repeat but has moved to Auckland to go through their system, sadly.
5. Sunia Finefeuiaki (Wyndham City)
10. Andreas Livadaras (Harlequin)
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Southern Districts)
14. Oisin Clarken (Moorabbin)
15. Josh Coward (Northern) - likely won't because of 7s
16. Jordan Uelese (Melbourne University)
19. John Schwalger (Northern)
20. Ayden Hurst (Melbourne University)

Add in Hunter Pasami from the Australian Schoolboys (likewise Sunia), Callum Kent and Hinckley Tuiala from the Australian Schools Barbarians, the rest of the successful Victorian 18s, a couple of others who played Aus 20s under age but not the GF (their names escape me), and some ring-ins, and you've got yourself a formidable team.

I'd tip them to come 3rd behind NSW and Qld still, but ahead of ACT and WA.

 

[Highlander35]

If Leota is fit (MCL is 3-5 months?) he'll repeat too you'd think.

Plus Trevor Hosea coming home.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Are you sure Maddock is? I'm not sure about that, but you're right that a large percentage of that squad repeats.
<snip>

He'll be going round the buoy again in next years U20's.
DOB is 5 Feb 1997
http://en.espn.co.uk/australia/rugby/player/290743.html

 

[amirite]

If Leota is fit (MCL is 3-5 months?) he'll repeat too you'd think.

Plus Trevor Hosea coming home.

Yeah, sadly I imagine Leota will end up just playing Aus 20s.

I thought Hosea was actually coming home in 2018 and the Rebels had signed him far in advance to avoid him being pitched. I very much could be wrong though.

He'll be going round the buoy again in next years U20's.
DOB is 5 Feb 1997
http://en.espn.co.uk/australia/rugby/player/290743.html

Well then the team looks even stronger! I don't think last year's starting 10 Livadaras will get a run behind Tuiala and McGregor. Tough luck.

Still, plenty of room for one to play a bit of 15 or 9.

 

[KevinO]

Stirzaker and Smith in the BaaBaa squad

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[Highlander35]

Lots of uncapped players for the Barbarians this time around.

Stirzaker, Ready, Goodes, Mo'unga, Taufua, Shields. Maybe more if I missed them. Plus wasn't Cheiks trying to get Koroibete to play for them as well?

 

[swingpass]

given that Smith had the most run metres and offloads and second most tackles busts of all the super props in 2016, i am surprised he has fallen out of Wallabies calculations so quickly. His scrummaging isnt that bad.

 

[amirite]

given that Smith had the most run metres and offloads and second most tackles busts of all the super props in 2016, i am surprised he has fallen out of Wallabies calculations so quickly. His scrummaging isnt that bad.

I think at loosehead his scrummaging is quite good. Obviously the Wobs see him as a 3.

Still, Chieka is developing young and (dare I say it) 'Aussie born and raised' props. So you can't be mad at that.

 

[Tex]

Toby fits half of that equation, and picking blokes who literally have to wait to qualify e.g. Sefa and Speight throws the other half under the bus.

 

[Jagman]

Read that Allan Fa'alava'au has left Sevens. Wonder where he's going.

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[Highlander35]

Read that Allan Fa'alava'au has left Sevens. Wonder where he's going.

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Amirite suggested it was just a year off somewhere, (here, the Rising thread, or the Sevens thread I think) so he'd be back for the Comm Games and Sevens World Cup.

 

[amirite]

Amirite suggested it was just a year off somewhere, (here, the Rising thread, or the Sevens thread I think) so he'd be back for the Comm Games and Sevens World Cup.

I don't think that was me. He did take part in the Vic 7s though.

Maybe he wants to spend a year playing for Endeavor Hills then trying to make the Rising (fingers crossed).