MarkJ
Bob Loudon (25)
WA raised/schooled I think. According to Wikipedia he was born in Durban
Rebels 2017
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WA raised/schooled I think. According to Wikipedia he was born in Durban
Forcefield
Ken Catchpole (46)
It may have escaped your notice but Melbourne are essentially copying the recruitment strategy the Force used in the first 5 or 6 years. That is recruit highly talented junior players and hope they develop into long term stars. We had the likes of PAE, Siliva Siliva, Luke Jones, David Pocock, James O'Connor, etc recruited at 18-19 years old and spending time over here. As soon as the Rebels started up, that avenue practically closed up because Melbourne is closer to home, probably a more desirable place to live for young people and there is less travel demand.
I'll grant you that some of the South African players recruited by the Force have been dire, but it isn't like there are a multitude of other options at a price we can afford. There are a handful of South Africans in the Future Force who competed well in the World Club 10s- perhaps these players won't be such a bad option.
AussieDominance
Trevor Allan (34)
THE Rebels’ capacity to recruit quality players hasn’t nosedived, however.
Quade Cooper remains a decent chance to end up in Melbourne and with every province interested, the Rebels won the race to sign NSW and Australian under 20s fullback Jack Maddocks.
And Australian Sevens star Pama Fou has also agreed to join the Rebels next season. Fou is currently getting over the heartbreak of slipping in the shower and doing his ACL, which has ruled him out of the Rio Olympics.
AussieDominance
Trevor Allan (34)
ALL is not well inside the Rebels stockade.
There’s been talk this week that Melbourne players have grown so dispirited under the harsh regime of coach Tony McGahan that a meeting with a senior Rebels official was held recently to air their grievances.
McGahan is the hardest of taskmasters, and he runs a very tight ship. Not unlike Michael Cheika at the Waratahs, McGahan has final say in almost everything at the club and decisions aren’t always popular.
McGahan’s old-school methodology has seen four assistant coaches come and go in two years and while players were content to wear McGahan’s abrasive way last year because they were a club on the rise, we hear the collective mood has darkened this season.
Watch this space.
lou75
Ron Walden (29)
Dispirited players = loss after loss = vote of no confidence in coach
Just found it. Patyo & Panda.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/...e/news-story/d4109a6e91b289cd01559d58143e2aaf
Interesting but about Godwin and potentially Alcock off to Canberra.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/...e/news-story/d4109a6e91b289cd01559d58143e2aaf
Interesting but about Godwin and potentially Alcock off to Canberra.
KevinO
Geoff Shaw (53)
I know from a former Munster and Ireland player that when he was at Munster the players lost faith pretty early in his time as head coach. Part of the reason I never wanted him as a coach, and to be honest don't think finishing 12th should be good enough to keep his job.
I don't really blame the players with this one, everyone can see some out of form players are consistently shown favouritism over the last two seasons. How our season could have gone with Hegarty was still around to put pressure on JD at 10. If Stirzaker was not rushed back into the side and earned his start.
elementfreak
Trevor Allan (34)
TALENTED MADDOCKS OPTS FOR REBELS OVER CRICKET
The prodigiously talented Jack Maddocks has opted to pursue a career in Super Rugby over cricket with the Australian international signing a two-year contract with the Melbourne Rebels from 2017.
The Rebels won the race to land Australian Rugby’s rising star after the 19-year-old played a staring role in the Australian U20’s campaign, including a man of the match performance in the victory over New Zealand prior to the tournament.
The New South Welshman, a first-grade cricketer on scholarship with Sydney University, is the only Australian player to play every minute of the 2016 World Rugby U20’s Championship, appearing in all five games at fullback.
“Jack is a naturally gifted sportsman and quality young man who has a number of attributes that will fit very well at our Club,” Melbourne Rebels General Manager Rugby Operations Baden Stephenson said.
“The Rebels, under head coach Tony McMahon, have a track record of fast tracking the development of promising talent so we are thrilled that he’s opted to kick off his very promising Rugby career with the Melbourne Rebels.”
After focusing on his studies during his final year at Scots College, Maddocks has risen through the ranks since returning to the 15-man game.
Maddocks’ form at fullback for NSW Gen Blue in the Super 20’s Championship saw the Eastern Suburbs product called into the Australian U20’s team for the two-game series against the Kiwis followed by the U20’s world championship in Manchester.
The batsman is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Wallabies legends George Gregan, Matt Burke and John Eales, who chose Rugby over promising underage cricket careers.
“It’s really exciting and humbling to be given this opportunity by the Rebels,” Maddocks said.
“Rugby has been a passion of mine growing up and now to be able to play with and against the top players in the world is a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”
Maddocks’ said the positive feedback from the Rebels players (Sione Tuipulotu, Rob Leota, Harley Fox, Jordan Uelese) in the Australian U20’s reinforced his decision to join the Rebels.
“The Rebels growing success on and off the field is something which attracted me to the club,” Maddocks said.
“I’ve made a lot of great friends throughout my time in the Australian U20’s team who are at the Rebels and they can’t speak highly enough of the club and strong culture, which made my decision a lot easier.”
Super Rugby returns following a four-week international hiatus on Saturday 2 July when the Rebels host their final home game of the season against the Stormers at AAMI Park, Melbourne, from 7.30pm (AEST). Tickets, from $25 for an adult, are available here.
The prodigiously talented Jack Maddocks has opted to pursue a career in Super Rugby over cricket with the Australian international signing a two-year contract with the Melbourne Rebels from 2017.
The Rebels won the race to land Australian Rugby’s rising star after the 19-year-old played a staring role in the Australian U20’s campaign, including a man of the match performance in the victory over New Zealand prior to the tournament.
The New South Welshman, a first-grade cricketer on scholarship with Sydney University, is the only Australian player to play every minute of the 2016 World Rugby U20’s Championship, appearing in all five games at fullback.
“Jack is a naturally gifted sportsman and quality young man who has a number of attributes that will fit very well at our Club,” Melbourne Rebels General Manager Rugby Operations Baden Stephenson said.
“The Rebels, under head coach Tony McMahon, have a track record of fast tracking the development of promising talent so we are thrilled that he’s opted to kick off his very promising Rugby career with the Melbourne Rebels.”
After focusing on his studies during his final year at Scots College, Maddocks has risen through the ranks since returning to the 15-man game.
Maddocks’ form at fullback for NSW Gen Blue in the Super 20’s Championship saw the Eastern Suburbs product called into the Australian U20’s team for the two-game series against the Kiwis followed by the U20’s world championship in Manchester.
The batsman is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Wallabies legends George Gregan, Matt Burke and John Eales, who chose Rugby over promising underage cricket careers.
“It’s really exciting and humbling to be given this opportunity by the Rebels,” Maddocks said.
“Rugby has been a passion of mine growing up and now to be able to play with and against the top players in the world is a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”
Maddocks’ said the positive feedback from the Rebels players (Sione Tuipulotu, Rob Leota, Harley Fox, Jordan Uelese) in the Australian U20’s reinforced his decision to join the Rebels.
“The Rebels growing success on and off the field is something which attracted me to the club,” Maddocks said.
“I’ve made a lot of great friends throughout my time in the Australian U20’s team who are at the Rebels and they can’t speak highly enough of the club and strong culture, which made my decision a lot easier.”
Super Rugby returns following a four-week international hiatus on Saturday 2 July when the Rebels host their final home game of the season against the Stormers at AAMI Park, Melbourne, from 7.30pm (AEST). Tickets, from $25 for an adult, are available here.
lou75
Ron Walden (29)
Meanwhile, talk of unrest at the Melbourne Rebels over Tony McGahan’s coaching style appear to be completely wide of the mark. The rumours stem from reports leaked to the media by a disgruntled player manager of a meeting senior players Tamati Ellison and Scott Fuglistaller held with Baden Stephenson, the rugby operations general manager, last week. Yet rather than plotting a coaching overthrow, the meeting was intended as a debrief to get some parting advice from the two players who are leaving at the end of the season. And the meeting was set up and organised by McGahan himself.
This is by Wayne smith in the Australian . In which case, all is good at the Rebels, there is no dispirit amongst the players, they fully support their coach and I , as always, wish them well this Saturday night.
This is by Wayne smith in the Australian . In which case, all is good at the Rebels, there is no dispirit amongst the players, they fully support their coach and I , as always, wish them well this Saturday night.
RebelYell
Arch Winning (36)
Would be a great fit, but Nick Taylor reporting in the west australian that he's going to the Force...
Rebels could definitely do with prioritising another centre though...
Mr Wobbly
Alan Cameron (40)
I've quoted your post over from the match thread.
I'm pretty sure Hagan is signed through till the end of 2017.
Any chance for any of Asquith, Crawford or Hawkins to get another crack? I thought Crawford was probably playing as well as he ever had until the injury and Asquith and Hawkins seemed good in their limited time.
The injury reports provides a little more insight into the lists:
I think this is the first time the Rebels have publically stated that Mikey Mike is off to Lyon, or the first time that I've noticed it. Even though, with the help of our internet friends, have known for a long time.
Interesting to know that Kotro Matsushima is off too.
Pity that Tamati couldn't recover in time for this one. I know he was busting rings to try and get ready for it. A shame.
I think this is the first time the Rebels have publically stated that Mikey Mike is off to Lyon, or the first time that I've noticed it. Even though, with the help of our internet friends, have known for a long time.
Interesting to know that Kotro Matsushima is off too.
Pity that Tamati couldn't recover in time for this one. I know he was busting rings to try and get ready for it. A shame.
RebelYell
Arch Winning (36)
My understanding is that there is an agreement with Hagan to cut the contract short. Call it Lahiff Mk II. Disappointing to waste a year on an ineligible (Wallaby) prop on your bench when you could have been developing an Australian in the same position off the bench, IMO. The silver lining is that it may provide Tim Metcher with a stay of execution after a wretched run with injury.
I also liked what I saw of Hawkins, so I hope they re-consider. I see no value in re-contracting Snowden as a 28 year old 3rd choice scrumhalf, while I'm personally very disappointed Crawford will be turfed from a 3rd club when clearly he has a lot of ability.
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