Rebels 2017

[GoMelbRebels]

You know what? I am so f$&king pissed off with the ARU. I am in no way blaming them for the Rebels' performance, but just make an announcement one way or another! If we are to go then at least I will just feel crap about that. Now I am worrying about getting the chop AND our shite performance!

Aaaaaarrrrgggghhh!

Had it!

 

[stoff]

Despite our season we are a game and a half off second in our conference with a game in hand. If we sacked TT tomorrow the resultant bounce could see us gunning for a finals spot. We are terrible this year, but our conference is not much better. Our best 22 can take anyone in our conference, but not with this coach. We have done some decent stuff this year with second and third choice guys. Time to give Zane a chance, he can't do any worse.

Does anyone know when Dumper's contract is up?


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[GoMelbRebels]

Despite our season we are a game and a half off second in our conference with a game in hand. If we sacked TT tomorrow the resultant bounce could see us gunning for a finals spot. We are terrible this year, but our conference is not much better. Our best 22 can take anyone in our conference, but not with this coach. We have done some decent stuff this year with second and third choice guys. Time to give Zane a chance, he can't do any worse.

Does anyone know when Dumper's contract is up?


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Hopefully TT is doing the right thing for the club and is writing his resignation on the flight home. Here, I'll help him...

Dear Andrew,

It is with deep regret that I tender my resignation, effective immediately. As head coach of the Melbourne Rebels I take full responsibility for the team's recent poor performance and I think it is best for the Rebels that I step aside and allow the club to focus on rebuilding both performance and reputation.

I thank you for the support you have given me since Imperium took over the licence, but now it is time for me to seek out other challenges and for someone with fresh ideas to breathe new life into the Rebels.

I am more than happy to work with the incoming head coach to ensure a smooth transition.

Thanks and regards,

Tony McGahan

 

[elementfreak]

So I grew up supporting a rather terrible soccer club in the UK and not once did I feel as disinterested as I do this year with the Rebels. Whilst last year we were getting results this year we are just looking like a pack of amateurs who don't train together and rock up on a Saturday to play.
This is just not good enough from full time professional players.

If I performed as badly at my job as a lot of the staff/players at the Rebels I doubt I would have a job for long.

 

[James Pettifer]

I really wonder what sort of discussion is had around long term strategy with regards to how the Rebels play and recruit.

I would have thought that one of our main advantages over the other teams is the distance that Hodge and Debreczeni can get with a kick (and previously Gerrard). Surely it would make sense to then go into games with 3 strong line out targets (and a 4th option) and basically hoof the ball down the field and try and compete on the line out. Instead, we have the weakest line out (according to the Super Rugby states - 80% line out success) and invest in lots of short flankers and a couple of good wingers who stand around doing little.

 

[lou75]

I think Coach McGahan will have to change his Rebels bio:
"The Rebels’ defence has improved markedly under McGahan, " as the rebels now lead the Points Against tally with 307 points against them this season. I don't recall ever having points against this high.

 

[neilc]

I really wonder what sort of discussion is had around long term strategy with regards to how the Rebels play and recruit.

I would have thought that one of our main advantages over the other teams is the distance that Hodge and Debreczeni can get with a kick (and previously Gerrard). Surely it would make sense to then go into games with 3 strong line out targets (and a 4th option) and basically hoof the ball down the field and try and compete on the line out. Instead, we have the weakest line out (according to the Super Rugby states - 80% line out success) and invest in lots of short flankers and a couple of good wingers who stand around doing little.

What seems odd to me is that the Rebels must have decided that Jack D was not delivering what they needed as a #10 a while ago so they needed to recruit a good 10. That the only one they could find was JGB who had no Super Rugby experience makes you wonder how hard they looked, or were the choices that limited? It's not like the Brumbies who had the unforeseen illness of Christian LL to suddenly cover, and they seem to have made the better selection there. Without a good player at 10 any senior rugby side is going to struggle and to me that should be one of the most crucial recruitment decisions, not wingers or additional loosies.

 

[Micheal]

What seems odd to me is that the Rebels must have decided that Jack D was not delivering what they needed as a #10 a while ago so they needed to recruit a good 10. That the only one they could find was JGB who had no Super Rugby experience makes you wonder how hard they looked, or were the choices that limited? It's not like the Brumbies who had the unforeseen illness of Christian LL to suddenly cover, and they seem to have made the better selection there. Without a good player at 10 any senior rugby side is going to struggle and to me that should be one of the most crucial recruitment decisions, not wingers or additional loosies.

They also signed JGB out of the ITM cup before the Brumbies signed Hawera.

When I saw that I assumed that Hawera was the off-cut, and JGB must've been the best they could find. It seems that that hypothesis was proved incorrect.

The Rebels actually have some really talented players, its the just the balance of the squad that amazes me.

Why sign Mafi? Lopeti is the 1st pick 8 you need.

Why have Reid, Fainga'a and McMahon?

Why have 64 outside backs?

Wheres the quality in the halves? Or the 2nd row?

 

[neilc]

They also signed JGB out of the ITM cup before the Brumbies signed Hawera.

When I saw that I assumed that Hawera was the off-cut, and JGB must've been the best they could find. It seems that that hypothesis was proved incorrect.

The Rebels actually have some really talented players, its the just the balance of the squad that amazes me.

Why sign Mafi? Lopeti is the 1st pick 8 you need.

Why have Reid, Fainga'a and McMahon?

Why have 64 outside backs?

Wheres the quality in the halves? Or the 2nd row?

I agree, they do have some really talented players. They just don't seem to have the depth in areas that they need, and then tons of depth in areas like loose forwards.

I don't have the experience of playing at a high level but maybe someone who does can advise - would someone who is playing 9 or 10 at Premier Grade in any of the Australian capitals who is doing well at that level be reasonably capable of making the step up to take on the role at the Rebels, or is it a huge leap for some of them? I'm wondering why the likes of the Rebels don't hold a sort of muster to get a bunch of players in the positions they lack depth to get together and trial to try to identify talent - put it out there to find the players who want to step up.

 

[amirite]

Well, looking at locks as an example, most 195cm+ rugby players of note are already signed or in someone's development pathway. Premier grade locks are usually 190cm-ish, so they're just not big enough.

In other positions I think the big issue is not that there's not talent in Prem grade, but the timeline of investment is generally minimum 1 year before they're up to Super rugby.

No excuses, just reasons. Maybe it's harder to bring talent to Melbourne than we think?

 

[blues recovery]

Could have had Colman 4 years ago and would of if we was from Sydney Uni not Parra
Also got shafted massively by the ARU on Foley deal
Different team with those two blokes
However do have to strongly question a recruitment policy that continues to leave the club so exposed in the locks and halves
Is it TM or Baden Stephenson responsibility to balance the squad
One of my big questions for the club though is whilst we are going through this ludicrous purgatory , inside the club are we properly addressing the real issues of coaching , recruitment and S and C that are so clearly really poor .
Beacause if nothing is resolved in these areas it really doesn't matter what the idiots at St Leonard's decide

 

[James Pettifer]

Well, looking at locks as an example, most 195cm+ rugby players of note are already signed or in someone's development pathway. Premier grade locks are usually 190cm-ish, so they're just not big enough.

In other positions I think the big issue is not that there's not talent in Prem grade, but the timeline of investment is generally minimum 1 year before they're up to Super rugby.

No excuses, just reasons. Maybe it's harder to bring talent to Melbourne than we think?

It is clearly harder to get talent to Melbourne. I'm sure that if the ARU were more equal in their allocation of total player funds (rather than giving it all to the Tahs, Reds and Brumbies, that we would be in a better position. But I don't see them doing that.

I guess losing Hugh Pyle and Luke Jones overseas kinda hurt. And we have tried with the overseas players with Culum and Dom.

I'd love to have a great line out but at the moment we have the worst line out in the competition. Surely if we had any real focus on it, we shouldn't be the worst.

 

[Rebels3]

Getting players to Melbourne isn't a problem, it's an amazing place to live and very attractive to potential players. The issue is retaining players and attracting players without a plan that looks like its going anywhere. Players want to be successful and win in their careers.

Losing Pyle and Jones is a sign that we have had the talent before, its just a matter of doing more to retain them. Jones for one would be in a good position with the wallabies now, if he had stayed. Would be definitely in line for that bench lock spot behind Arnold and Coleman. Plus his versatility in being able to play 6 would be attractive for the wallabies.

If we are fortunate enough to stay, resources must be thrown at lock as the biggest priority of all.

 

[blues recovery]

Getting players to Melbourne isn't a problem, it's an amazing place to live and very attractive to potential players. The issue is retaining players and attracting players without a plan that looks like its going anywhere. Players want to be successful and win in their careers.

Losing Pyle and Jones is a sign that we have had the talent before, its just a matter of doing more to retain them. Jones for one would be in a good position with the wallabies now, if he had stayed. Would be definitely in line for that bench lock spot behind Arnold and Coleman. Plus his versatility in being able to play 6 would be attractive for the wallabies.

If we are fortunate enough to stay, resources must be thrown at lock as the biggest priority of all.

This a new coach and a nine and ten

 

[KevinO]

This a new coach and a nine and ten

As soon as we are safe a play should been made for Genia. That will solve the 9 issue at least.

10 and locks, won't offend Force fans and say who I would not mind seeing given a contract here.

 

[Twoilms]

Losing Pyle and Jones is a sign that we have had the talent before, its just a matter of doing more to retain them. Jones for one would be in a good position with the wallabies now, if he had stayed. Would be definitely in line for that bench lock spot behind Arnold and Coleman. Plus his versatility in being able to play 6 would be attractive for the wallabies.

Jones had a kid and went all 'familial'. I don't think it was the Rebels lack of progress that pushed him into Europe, twas the $$.

 

[TOCC]

As soon as we are safe a play should been made for Genia. That will solve the 9 issue at least.

10 and locks, won't offend Force fans and say who I would not mind seeing given a contract here.

not happening, now that Stade Francais aren't merging, they have said he would need to pay $400,000 just to get out of the current contract.

 

[amirite]

Could have had Colman 4 years ago and would of if we was from Sydney Uni not Parra
Also got shafted massively by the ARU on Foley deal
Different team with those two blokes
However do have to strongly question a recruitment policy that continues to leave the club so exposed in the locks and halves
Is it TM or Baden Stephenson responsibility to balance the squad
One of my big questions for the club though is whilst we are going through this ludicrous purgatory , inside the club are we properly addressing the real issues of coaching , recruitment and S and C that are so clearly really poor .
Beacause if nothing is resolved in these areas it really doesn't matter what the idiots at St Leonard's decide

In all honesty, there's a bunch of bloody good coaches and administrators at Syd Uni. Yeah, the way they're the HAVEs of Syd rugby is unfair, but we're in Melbourne and when we're picking up a riskier proposition they have to be recommended on stuff like work ethic and coachability.

Selecting players from outside the junior pathway is such a dice roll that you have to go with opinions of people you respect. Sydney Uni is respected.

 

[blues recovery]

In all honesty, there's a bunch of bloody good coaches and administrators at Syd Uni. Yeah, the way they're the HAVEs of Syd rugby is unfair, but we're in Melbourne and when we're picking up a riskier proposition they have to be recommended on stuff like work ethic and coachability.

Selecting players from outside the junior pathway is such a dice roll that you have to go with opinions of people you respect. Sydney Uni is respected.

So after watching tapes of Colman playing first grade SS as a nineteen year old and dominating against some of the best teams eg Eastwood, we instead sign Sam Jeffries straight out of Colts because he comes from a proven system
Your comments are indicative of one of the major problems with our pathway .
Recruiters taking the easy option with kids that have been "in the system " rather
than looking at the deeper options
Been said on many other blogs
Straight out of GPS into Oz Schools into Sydney Uni colts straight into Super Rugby vs learning the toughness and nuances of the game through a highly competitive club system playing against men and I'm afraid to say copping the odd flogging
Generalisation I know but a lot of our young players just lack the toughness to succeed at a professional level .
I could rattle off a whole bunch of Rebels examples and their not Vic boys

 

[amirite]

So after watching tapes of Colman playing first grade SS as a nineteen year old and dominating against some of the best teams eg Eastwood, we instead sign Sam Jeffries straight out of Colts because he comes from a proven system
Your comments are indicative of one of the major problems with our pathway .
Recruiters taking the easy option with kids that have been "in the system " rather
than looking at the deeper options
Been said on many other blogs
Straight out of GPS into Oz Schools into Sydney Uni colts straight into Super Rugby vs learning the toughness and nuances of the game through a highly competitive club system playing against men and I'm afraid to say copping the odd flogging
Generalisation I know but a lot of our young players just lack the toughness to succeed at a professional level .
I could rattle off a whole bunch of Rebels examples and their not Vic boys

I think you're projecting your anti-establishment views onto what I've said.


Sam Jefferies is a fine rugby player and has only had a shitty season due to bad management by the Rebels' medical staff.

Coleman was always solid, but you can't view something after the fact and complain. Show me the posts from 2012 where Rebels fans (or anyone outside of the most ardent Paramatta fan) said 'sign him'. The bloke was Waratah capped before he even got to the Force anyway, I don't they picked him up for peanuts.

Lets also remember the Brumbies literally had him in their system before anyone else and opted not to sign him.

The fact of the matter is the Para coaches/admin haven't EARNED the trust of the ones at Syd Uni. I'm sure if Todd Louden spruiked a guy to the Rebels they're sign him real fast, and he's at Wests. The fact is certain peoples opinions hold weight.

In addition, Coleman isn't your typical wrong side of Sydney player, he came from Hobart and it's perfectly fair for that to raise question about the quality of his development coaching as a young man. They literally have 3-4 rugby teams in their junior comp.

I just think Coleman's a really strange example. Perhaps Hodge is a better one of someone to come from outside of the traditional pathway, but that somewhat goes against your point because he's a Rebel.