Rebels 2017

[swingpass]

The fact that he is still here makes me worry. Maybe we are for the chop so why bother replacing him? Then again, the assists could look after things till the last game too.

thats my concern also, rather than payout a contract, he like all the others may simply have no job to go to after a few more weeks, cheaper option perhaps. or Cox and Imperium really have no clue, which is equally worrying.

 

[OneOrThree]

Im not sure if everyone is privileged enough to have witnessed what I did post game on Saturday, it was very bittersweet. After each game, two players usually head up to the Weary Dunlop Club for a quick post-match recap. It was Tyrel Loamx and Anamaki Mafi. Usually the moderator has to shush the crowd like a school teacher while the players speak. When it was Mafi's turn, he was close to, if not, tearing up. The room went silent as he just thank the fans for the support. This one hurt to watch. If he is feeling it, then so are all the other players too. Clearly their systems, mostly in attack, but also it defence, are not yielding results, and that is completely the coaches responsibility. The complete ARU/SANZAAR debacle is placing massive pressure on them too and if you don't have peace of mind going onto a rugby field, you'll be found out.

If I were McGahan, resign to the fact you'll be head coach in title only for the remainder of 2017 but not afterwards, not with these results. I suggest you ask the players what to do, give them the opportunity to work out the game plan and strategy. Be there as a mentor but only if they seek it and if they have conviction in what they have worked out, let them roll with it. If it doesn't work, they will learn from it and redesign/adapt. I reckon he would owe them that much.

Even with the injuries, we should have won at least 4 games by now, not scrapping by with one. This is not an acceptable standard and must be addressed. I know I am selling ice (frozen H2O) to the Eskimos with that statement, I have just had enough as it is hurting my love for the Rebels and rugby.

 

[daz]

I think it's ENTIRELY to do with the current shenanigans with chopping a team. If there is even a sniff on instability, the ARU bloodhounds will be right onto it.

No question. Given the fact that we can't sign players, I'm also pretty sure we wouldn't be able to make any changes to the coaching staff, except perhaps internal shuffling which is never going to happen.

You know, maybe we are just being a bit harsh, which is understandable given the current circumstances. The players and staff are job-sensitive, we are team-sensitive and everyone is just basically on edge.

I said this in a previous post; with all the uncertainty and delays by the ARU, they are basically killing both the Force and the Rebels regardless of the final result. The cynic in me says it might be a deliberate ploy by the ARU, except I don't think they are mentally capable of working out a plan like this.

Even if we survive, we will only have recruitment access to the kids not picked by the other teams, all the good coaches and staff will be contractually locked up elsewhere, and more importantly, whatever momentum has been generated in growing the Melb Rebels fanbase over the years (particularly in the non-rugby community) has been stalled, perhaps irretrievably.

 

[daz]

If I were McGahan, resign to the fact you'll be head coach in title only for the remainder of 2017 but not afterwards, not with these results. I suggest you ask the players what to do, give them the opportunity to work out the game plan and strategy. Be there as a mentor but only if they seek it and if they have conviction in what they have worked out, let them roll with it. If it doesn't work, they will learn from it and redesign/adapt. I reckon he would owe them that much.

I hear you mate, and don't disagree with your idea, but we all know that headmaster Tony is just not wired that way.

One thing we know about Tony, is that it is his way or the highway.

Sadly, the highway beckons.

 

[I like to watch]

Coach McGahan is one of the better coaches to coach schools rugby in Brisbane in the last 10-20 years.

Obviously he hasn't worked out, but I think shitting on a guy in a tough coaching situation like coaching the Rebels (particularly this year), just makes you look like sort of a prick.

He's not a volunteer, he is earning plenty of coin and getting disastrous results. and he's in year 4 of his tenure? And this years performance is not an outlier.
I'm surprised he's not copping a lot more criticism.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Im not sure if everyone is privileged enough to have witnessed what I did post game on Saturday, it was very bittersweet. After each game, two players usually head up to the Weary Dunlop Club for a quick post-match recap. It was Tyrel Loamx and Anamaki Mafi. *snip*

Good on you for making the effort to go upstairs. I'm somewhat ashamed to admit I haven't bothered once this season.

 

[stoff]

I hear you mate, and don't disagree with your idea, but we all know that headmaster Tony is just not wired that way.

One thing we know about Tony, is that it is his way or the highway.

Sadly, the highway beckons.

It was an appointment during Rob Clarke's tenure. I imagine there was something in the deal that makes him impossible to move on without significant legal action.


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[daz]

It was an appointment during Rob Clarke's tenure. I imagine there was something in the deal that makes him impossible to move on without significant legal action.


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There was the old Chinese whispers that Tony was an ARU appointed coach. In other words, the Rebels were "gifted" Tony by the ARU, rather than independently recruited by the Rebels.

I can't remember if that was true or not, but IIRC, I'm pretty sure that was the case.

 

[swingpass]

There was the old Chinese whispers that Tony was an ARU appointed coach. In other words, the Rebels were "gifted" Tony by the ARU, rather than independently recruited by the Rebels.

I can't remember if that was true or not, but IIRC, I'm pretty sure that was the case.

yes he was foisted upon them when the VRU/ARU resumed the licence. the Wobs couldn't get rid of him fast enough, "heres your hat, whats the hurry"

 

[blues recovery]

There was the old Chinese whispers that Tony was an ARU appointed coach. In other words, the Rebels were "gifted" Tony by the ARU, rather than independently recruited by the Rebels.

I can't remember if that was true or not, but IIRC, I'm pretty sure that was the case.

I can tell you categorically that this is incorrect
When the decision was made to replace Hill the two coaches interviewed and considered for the job were Ewen Mac and TM
These discussions preceded Rob Clarkes commencement as CEO
Ewen was the preferred option but he opted to hang out for the Wallaby gig (maybe a big mistake !!)
TM was appointed by the club with absolutely no ARU influence
They have a lot to be disliked for this is not one of them .
No conspiracy theory here .
Tony did some fine things in the first couple of years of his tenure shame he's so completely lost the playing group over the last two years

 

[swingpass]

I can tell you categorically that this is incorrect

OK i stand corrected, mea culpa, believing the perceived wisdom as fact.

 

[lou75]

I can tell you categorically that this is incorrect
When the decision was made to replace Hill the two coaches interviewed and considered for the job were Ewen Mac and TM
These discussions preceded Rob Clarkes commencement as CEO
Ewen was the preferred option but he opted to hang out for the Wallaby gig (maybe a big mistake !!)
TM was appointed by the club with absolutely no ARU influence
They have a lot to be disliked for this is not one of them .
No conspiracy theory here .
Tony did some fine things in the first couple of years of his tenure shame he's so completely lost the playing group over the last two years

Sorry that is incorrect. Rob Clarke came on board the Rebels In April 2013 and he appointed TM then

 

[neilc]

According to an ARU announcement of the appointment in 2013:
"Rebels chief executive Rob Clarke highlighted McGahan's credentials at the top level in Europe and with the Wallabies, his extensive experience as a defence coach, and strong leadership style, as important attributes in his appointment after the coaching review panel considered applications from 16 coaches from Australia and overseas. "In particular, his time at Munster was a memorable period with multiple titles in the Heineken Cup and Celtic League [now RaboDirect Pro 12].""

Interestingly when Damian Hill was pushed out to be replaced by McGahan it was noted (in July) that the Rebels had only won 4 games that season. They have the Reds and Tahs coming up this season so hard to know how that would go, then the Crusaders which could be scary.

 

[daz]

I can tell you categorically that this is incorrect

Tony did some fine things in the first couple of years of his tenure shame he's so completely lost the playing group over the last two years

Thanks BR, appreciate the correction, I was not sure either way but for some reason I did think he was an ARU appointment.

Agree that Tony did manage to get a spike in performance over his 4 years or so, but it was fairly brief and does not look like repeating any time soon.

Just one thing though, to be fair to Tony; for how bad we are as a professional rugby team, I do have to point out that we are still only 3 wins away from outright leaders on the Oz conference table at the halfway mark. 2 wins from top 3 position, plus we have a game in hand to the Tahs and the Reds.

Of course, winning the conference is fantasyland, but my point is this: we are shit, but so is every team in Australia this year - even the teams that have "history" of championship achievement and are considered the breeding grounds of Oz rugby. And we are still very much in touch with them all with a wet sail home.

So Tony should take comfort that he has some company in the "coaches under pressure" club. Oddly, the only Oz coach that should not be under the spotlight is Dave Wessels. Dammit.

 

[Scooter]

And he could have been a Wallably. Word too that as soon as Bristol are relegated he will be joining Gloucester.

If only Woodward worked out he wouldn't get a gig with the All Blacks two or three years earlier. He could have stayed in Melbourne for one more year and qualified for Wallabies.

 

[blues recovery]

Sorry that is incorrect. Rob Clarke came on board the Rebels In April 2013 and he appointed TM then

If you read what I said I stated that discussions preceded Clarkes appointment as CEO
I'm not disputing that Clarke made the appointment but what I can tell you as fact is that the previous CEO started a process with EM and TM and handed the details of this over to Clarke when he commenced .
One of the really interesting/challenging things on this forum is to distinguish views based on gossip/here say or opinion and those based on fact
We're all guilty of the later on many occasions

 

[swingpass]

Oddly, the only Oz coach that should not be under the spotlight is Dave Wessels. Dammit.

agree, the Force are the only team to have made a demonstrable improvement, even more so considering their injury toll. the Brumbies remain in status quo and are probably performing above everyone else's expectation. the other two, with all their "on paper", advantage are well off the pace.

 

[Rebels3]

Positives this week guys. We are playing the Reds (although they will rightfully be favs). We do however have an opportunity to win this game.

Any news on players returning, so we can delude ourselves on having a decent team on paper?

 

[amirite]

If only Woodward worked out he wouldn't get a gig with the All Blacks two or three years earlier. He could have stayed in Melbourne for one more year and qualified for Wallabies.

I think a lot of Woodward's professional decisions are influenced by a very sick family member, so maybe don't make presumptions.

 

[Rebels3]

Is McMahon back this week?

Has Timani finished his suspension?

Colby?