Rebels 2018

[daz]

Something that many of us on here dreams about, at least twice a day.

I was lucky enough to do that some years ago. It didn't disappoint.

 

[oztimmay]

I was lucky enough to do that some years ago. It didn't disappoint.

Clam chowder, central station, middle of Winter. One of my peak NY moments.

 

[swingpass]

back to reality !
watching training this morning, definitely much harder than previous years. almost continuous movement, very few breaks. from semi opposed team work, to small group skills, to individual skills, to fitness, to the next thing. very very little wasted time.
Timani and Maddocks (who has put on quite a bit of bulk) doing fitness with team rehab, no other Wallabies (Philip aside) were training. Still quite a few not seen, Daley, Ainsley, Weeks, Hardwick all recovering from injury still.
would not be surprised to see Cottrell offered a contract (if he hasn't already) training with the "a" side and wearing full kit. the selectors have lots of difficult choices to make.

 

[GoMelbRebels]

back to reality !
watching training this morning, definitely much harder than previous years. almost continuous movement, very few breaks. from semi opposed team work, to small group skills, to individual skills, to fitness, to the next thing. very very little wasted time.
Timani and Maddocks (who has put on quite a bit of bulk) doing fitness with team rehab, no other Wallabies (Philip aside) were training. Still quite a few not seen, Daley, Ainsley, Weeks, Hardwick all recovering from injury still.
would not be surprised to see Cottrell offered a contract (if he hasn't already) training with the "a" side and wearing full kit. the selectors have lots of difficult choices to make.

I stopped by too on my run this morning. Intensity turned all the way up to 11 from the start (their training, not my run - that was a mere shuffle). Rowie said the Wallabies players will be back next Monday and the Top Leaguers joining at the end of the month (depending on finals etc).

 

[Tex]

Stirzaker is off to the UK, taking up a 'shot-term' contract with Saracens.

 

[daz]

I think I've said this before, but I do feel sorry for Stirzaker. From Captain to discard in a few short months, that must be hard to swallow.

But having said that, he surely must have seen the writing on the wall in regards the external talent the Rebels were likely to gain access to. Its almost like he thought "I'm the captain so I'll be all good". He even said in the media he was going to throw his luck to the Rebels future.

Then the Rebels pick up half of the current and future Wallaby team and suddenly Stirzy is out on his ear, without a contract and wondering what the hell just happened.

If that is how it played out, then he is like a contestant on the Voice, being told you are not good enough, even though your mum said you were a really good singer.

However, if Stirzy was played along by the Rebels "just in case", then discarded once a better player was hooked, then I would not be thinking very highly of my team's management.

Anyone have any thoughts on which way it went?

 

[daz]

By the way, since it is now all done and dusted and I am now not speaking out of school, that is exactly what happened to Turinui; told it was all good, then dumped without ceremony once Wessels and his assistants signed up.

 

[lou75]

I think I've said this before, but I do feel sorry for Stirzaker. From Captain to discard in a few short months, that must be hard to swallow.

But having said that, he surely must have seen the writing on the wall in regards the external talent the Rebels were likely to gain access to. Its almost like he thought "I'm the captain so I'll be all good". He even said in the media he was going to throw his luck to the Rebels future.

Then the Rebels pick up half of the current and future Wallaby team and suddenly Stirzy is out on his ear, without a contract and wondering what the hell just happened.

If that is how it played out, then he is like a contestant on the Voice, being told you are not good enough, even though your mum said you were a really good singer.

However, if Stirzy was played along by the Rebels "just in case", then discarded once a better player was hooked, then I would not be thinking very highly of my team's management.

Anyone have any thoughts on which way it went?

I heard he was told he was all good and he turned down an offer from France , then , well , you know the rest

 

[lou75]

Not saying he did or didn't , but Rob Clarke was advising Baden Stephenson how to do the job, as referenced in the senate inquiry

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

I don't want to be a pessimist however I expect there must be a fair amount of anguish within the "original" rebel players. The power dynamic between these players and Wessels/ex Force players is an interesting one. I think it will cause unrest especially with Hanson/Stirzaker/Cummins and the like essentially been shown the door. It might take another year or two for this group.

 

[daz]

I don't want to be a pessimist however I expect there must be a fair amount of anguish within the "original" rebel players. The power dynamic between these players and Wessels/ex Force players is an interesting one. I think it will cause unrest especially with Hanson/Stirzaker/Cummins and the like essentially been shown the door. It might take another year or two for this group.

If there is, they are certainly not showing it. The boys seem to be having a ball at training, and gelling well. Any hidden angst would not stay hidden for long, in contact training. There would be lots of niggling agro. Haven't seen or heard anything on those lines.

 

[Tex]

I don't want to be a pessimist however I expect there must be a fair amount of anguish within the "original" rebel players. The power dynamic between these players and Wessels/ex Force players is an interesting one. I think it will cause unrest especially with Hanson/Stirzaker/Cummins and the like essentially been shown the door. It might take another year or two for this group.

I get your angle and have held a similar view in the past, but it's a footy club, they'll get along just fine. Stronger bonds formed under intense pressure etc. We'd be naive to assume Wessels et al haven't managed the potential problem head on and on day one.

 

[daz]

Not saying he did or didn't , but Rob Clarke was advising Baden Stephenson how to do the job, as referenced in the senate inquiry

Nothing unusual about that though, is there? As a new GM, Baden would naturally reach out to an experienced associate at ARU HQ, especially one who was plugged in and would have almost certainly been in a mentoring/advisory role. The question is to what level. No-one knows that. I'll occasionally reach out to former bosses for advice, and I've been doing what I do for many years now.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Great to hear Daz and Tex. Maybe living up here in Brisbane and seeing the unrest at the Reds has tainted my view on how things work.

 

[daz]

Great to hear Daz and Tex. Maybe living up here in Brisbane and seeing the unrest at the Reds has tainted my view on how things work.

Interstate Rebels memberships are available. Just sayin'...!

 

[lou75]

Nothing unusual about that though, is there? As a new GM, Baden would naturally reach out to an experienced associate at ARU HQ, especially one who was plugged in and would have almost certainly been in a mentoring/advisory role. The question is to what level. No-one knows that. I'll occasionally reach out to former bosses for advice, and I've been doing what I do for many years now.

True , but this was in reference to who might have dogged nik stirzaker, not so much about the other

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Interstate Rebels memberships are available. Just sayin'.!

Already have a Waratahs interstate one and an actual Reds one (I'm from NSW but live in Brisbane). The cheese and kisses would kill me if I signed up again however you raise a good point. Regardless of all the rubbish last year we need to come together and support Australian rugby. Lets beat NZ at every level.

 

[GoMelbRebels]

Whatever the story with Stirzy, he has a contract for 2018, so will be paid whatever he does. Obviously the Rebels don’t have to pay during this 3-month stint, which is why they are OK with lending him out.

 

[Hawko]

Whatever the story with Stirzy, he has a contract for 2018, so will be paid whatever he does. Obviously the Rebels don’t have to pay during this 3-month stint, which is why they are OK with lending him out.

Doesn't that depend on whether his salary in the UK is high enough to cover his Rebels contract? Given he was captain he would not be on the Rebels minimum wage. Still, UK money is pretty good compared to here, so maybe that won't be an issue.

 

[KevinO]

All the Rebels back lines being throw around have Lance a shoe in for 10, have a feeling Wessels wanted Adams for a reason. Was his first target outside of Force players.