Rebels 2018

[wamberal]

The Rebels have again shown their weakness - an inability to even vaguely regain some control of a game after they get rattled. I suspect it is either lack of maturity and experience as individuals or as a combined team.

Hopefully with time they can develop this.

Or maybe the Hurricanes just lifted their game.

 

[James Pettifer]

Or maybe the Hurricanes just lifted their game.

If it was just the one game then I would probably go for that - particularly given how ridiculously good the Hurricanes are - but given it happened against the Waratahs as well and the team, in both games, went from being able to score points to looking very similar to headless chickens when they had the ball. I suspect it is more a team psychological thing.

 

[Zero_Cool]

If it was just the one game then I would probably go for that - particularly given how ridiculously good the Hurricanes are - but given it happened against the Waratahs as well and the team, in both games, went from being able to score points to looking very similar to headless chickens when they had the ball. I suspect it is more a team psychological thing.

Yeah, I think Melbourn are the sort of team unable to overcome adversity. Or even just endure the adversity. Their first few games it was only after having a significant advantage for a while that they then click into gear. These easy wins gave them a lot of confidence. Then come the Waratahs and they are confident for the first half, but things start to no go their way and look what happens, they fall to shit.

Same thing with the Hurricanes -- that Waratahs game was just an anomaly, they carry that confidence into the game, then the Hurricanes don't just fall away like the Sunwolves did. Instead they get better as the game wears on, accordingly the team then starts to worry if they are good enough etc.

The Rebels will probably beat teams they are clearly better than, but at the first sign of adversity they fold like a fifty dollar note.

 

[GoMelbRebels]

Yeah, I think Melbourn are the sort of team unable to overcome adversity. Or even just endure the adversity. Their first few games it was only after having a significant advantage for a while that they then click into gear. These easy wins gave them a lot of confidence. Then come the Waratahs and they are confident for the first half, but things start to no go their way and look what happens, they fall to shit.

Same thing with the Hurricanes -- that Waratahs game was just an anomaly, they carry that confidence into the game, then the Hurricanes don't just fall away like the Sunwolves did. Instead they get better as the game wears on, accordingly the team then starts to worry if they are good enough etc.

The Rebels will probably beat teams they are clearly better than, but at the first sign of adversity they fold like a fifty dollar note.

This is probably what you would expect from a team pretty much thrown together fairly quickly. Full of talent but cohesion takes time. When things go well they go very well but when they go bad they go quite poop. When you look at a team like the Canes, talent aside, they have been together with that core squad a while and can read each other’s minds well.

For the Rebels to be up 4-2 after 7 rounds, I think is an achievement, to be honest. There will be more good wins and, also, more bad losses. As long as they learn and grow, I don’t mind. I think the bar was set too high by many for 2018.

 

[Zero_Cool]

This is probably what you would expect from a team pretty much thrown together fairly quickly. Full of talent but cohesion takes time. When things go well they go very well but when they go bad they go quite poop. When you look at a team like the Canes, talent aside, they have been together with that core squad a while and can read each other’s minds well.

For the Rebels to be up 4-2 after 7 rounds, I think is an achievement, to be honest. There will be more good wins and, also, more bad losses. As long as they learn and grow, I don’t mind. I think the bar was set too high by many for 2018.

I don't disagree. It does feel like a bit of a Melbourn issue, even last year -- they were not a bad team at all last year, but they were just unable to win games when they got hard. This year they have much more talent but still are unable to win tough.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

This is probably what you would expect from a team pretty much thrown together fairly quickly. Full of talent but cohesion takes time. When things go well they go very well but when they go bad they go quite poop. When you look at a team like the Canes, talent aside, they have been together with that core squad a while and can read each other’s minds well.

For the Rebels to be up 4-2 after 7 rounds, I think is an achievement, to be honest. There will be more good wins and, also, more bad losses. As long as they learn and grow, I don’t mind. I think the bar was set too high by many for 2018.

I tend to agree. I was pretty pissed off on Friday night at that limp effort but, if you had asked me at the start of the year if I'd be happy to be 4 and 2 and sitting on top of the ladder the answer would have been yes.

The bye has come at a good time and will give the coaches a good chance to review the overall tactics. I hope we have seen the last of the three big backrowers for a start.

This is the team I'd like to see run out in two weeks:

Faulkner
Uelese
Talakai
Philip
Coleman
RHP
Fainga'a
Mafi
Genia
JD
Koroibete
Meakes
English
Maddocks
DHP

Rangi
Sa'aga
Ainsley
Parling
Timani/Hardwick
Ruru
Hodge
Naivalu

 

[GoMelbRebels]

I tend to agree. I was pretty pissed off on Friday night at that limp effort but, if you had asked me at the start of the year if I'd be happy to be 4 and 2 and sitting on top of the ladder the answer would have been yes.

The bye has come at a good time and will give the coaches a good chance to review the overall tactics. I hope we have seen the last of the three big backrowers for a start.

This is the team I'd like to see run out in two weeks:

Faulkner
Uelese
Talakai
Philip
Coleman
RHP
Fainga'a
Mafi
Genia
JD
Koroibete
Meakes
English
Maddocks
DHP

Rangi
Sa'aga
Ainsley
Parling
Timani/Hardwick
Ruru
Hodge
Naivalu

You don’t see RHP as a big back rower? And Hodge to the bench - controversial!

 

[Mr Wobbly]

You don’t see RHP as a big back rower? And Hodge to the bench - controversial!

Well, starting at the top, I think Talakai has been good when he's come on and might offer a bit more carry than Ainsley.

RHP is a big back rower and I reckon he's played better than either LT or Cottrell, so far. A heavy hitter (RHP), a ball carrier (Mafi) and a fetcher/link man (Colby or Hardwick) makes for a well balanced back row (IMHO).

English was good at 13. I'm a big fan of Hodge but he hasn't had anywhere near the impact he has had previously and Meakes has done well at 12. So, Reece to the bench till he gets some form back.

Maddocks has been better than Sefa on the wing.

Sa'aga shouldn't have been dropped after the game he had against the Shorks.

As much as I'd like to see Jefferies in 19 we could use Parling's experience late in games.

 

[GoMelbRebels]

Well, starting at the top, I think Talakai has been good when he's come on and might offer a bit more carry than Ainsley.

RHP is a big back rower and I reckon he's played better than either LT or Cottrell, so far. A heavy hitter (RHP), a ball carrier (Mafi) and a fetcher/link man (Colby or Hardwick) makes for a well balanced back row (IMHO).

English was good at 13. I'm a big fan of Hodge but he hasn't had anywhere near the impact he has had previously and Meakes has done well at 12. So, Reece to the bench till he gets some form back.

Maddocks has been better than Sefa on the wing.

Sa'aga shouldn't have been dropped after the game he had against the Shorks.

As much as I'd like to see Jefferies in 19 we could use Parling's experience late in games.

Excellent summary that, make sure you slide your suggestions under Coach Wessels door.

 

[Scooter]

The Rebels are still on top (just).

 

[Mr Wobbly]

^ This time next week I reckon we'll be down to 5th.

 

[GoMelbRebels]

^ This time next week I reckon we'll be down to 5th.

But still holding top of the Aussie conference, which technically should make us third overall.

 

[lou75]

hang on, we only lose our crown because of the bye. After that, I see a couple of wins in a row. Even if Tahs defeat Sunwolves and earn a BP we will still lead Aussie conference for another week, right

 

[GoMelbRebels]

hang on, we only lose our crown because of the bye. After that, I see a couple of wins in a row. Even if Tahs defeat Sunwolves and earn a BP we will still lead Aussie conference for another week, right

Yes, we will hold the Aussie conference over the bye week.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

hang on, we only lose our crown because of the bye. After that, I see a couple of wins in a row. Even if Tahs defeat Sunwolves and earn a BP we will still lead Aussie conference for another week, right

Correct. We will top the conference for at least one more week.

Then we have three winnable (as in not impossible to win) games in a row before the Crusaders at home. Really need at least nine points or better from the next three games.

The Tahs have Sunwolves (A), Reds (H), Lions (H), bye. You would have to think that they will get at least nine points out of that.

 

[Sully]

Correct. We will top the conference for at least one more week.

Then we have three winnable (as in not impossible to win) games in a row before the Crusaders at home. Really need at least nine points or better from the next three games.

The Tahs have Sunwolves (A), Reds (H), Lions (H), bye. You would have to think that they will get at least nine points out of that.

Wins against the Lions and Sunwolves? Because they aren't beating us!

 

[Rebels3]

Can’t confirm it, but I believe Hutch might be back in the 7s camp going forward. He’s over in HK atm but not sure if he’s going to link up permanently or not.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Wins against the Lions and Sunwolves? Because they aren't beating us!

I kind of hope you're right

 

[Brumby Runner]

Best match for his talents. Good luck to him.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Can’t confirm it, but I believe Hutch might be back in the 7s camp going forward. He’s over in HK atm but not sure if he’s going to link up permanently or not.

Would not be surprised if he's looking elsewhere. He's probably 5th in line for a spot on the wing.