KevinO
Geoff Shaw (53)
Win win - the Rebels get the best flyhalf in Oz, and a new supporter - me
You forgot the bit where the Rebels get the best fly half in Australia and the Reds/ARU are still paying the wages.
Win win - the Rebels get the best flyhalf in Oz, and a new supporter - me
You forgot the bit where the Rebels get the best fly half in Australia and the Reds/ARU are still paying the wages.
Amazingly, it's even better than the one you listed. Still averse to Hodge at 13 for defensive reasons, but sure works if you want to cram talent in.Genia, Cooper, Koroibete, To'omua, Hodge,Naivalu, MaddocksMaddocks, Haylett-Petty.
They're good players, but RHP, Cottrell, Hardwick do not compare against Pocock, McMahon, Dempsey, Hooper, Tui, Gill, Timu, Samu etc.
I’m confused, which team has all those internationals in their backrow?
None obviously. I'm pointing out that the Rebels will struggle to go far fielding flankers that don't come close to the top 5 in Australia (let alone the competition).
Same goes for the front row. Great depth of decent players, no world beaters. No Slipper, Tupou, Kepu, AAA, Sio etc. The backline might be immense (as it was last year), but without any secure ball they're not going to do shit.
Edit:
In fact the talent is actually pretty well spread regarding backrowers across the other three franchises:
Brumbies - Pocock and Samu
Waratahs - Dempsey and Hooper
Reds - Timu, Tui and I really hope Gill
All those backrows are better by a significant margin
Same issue with the backrow, a bunch of reliable battlers. They're good players, but RHP, Cottrell, Hardwick do not compare against Pocock, McMahon, Dempsey, Hooper, Tui, Gill, Timu, Samu etc.
If Ainsley and Sa'aga can keep developing then it might be a very good season, but atm its too weak to even contemplate anything more than simply making finals
Well, they certainly don't compare when you leave out one or two of the actual Rebels starting backrow next year...
Well, they certainly don't compare when you leave out one or two of the actual Rebels starting backrow next year...
player announcement at 4
Confirming the worst-kept secret, ever.