Rebels 2019

[Rug&tug]

my gripes are that there seems to be no plan B after "play at pace, on the ad line", great against the lesser lights but not against teams that can actually tackle and put pressure on at the breakdown.

but my biggest beef is that when games have been there for the taking, when the senior players and the experienced hands, the hard heads have been asked to step up - the senior players have been the ones that folded; no composure, no leading from the front, poor option taking and often worse execution (looking at you Willi G). for example against the Canes the option was to continue the 5m lineout drive without success, same against the Bulls, at one stage 5 or 6 in row, not once releasing the famed backline, not as insane as Coleman not taking the draw against the Jags last year, but at times the rugby smarts haven't been noticeable. there doesnt appear to be anyone in the pack who is an obvious leader, a la Higginbotham, McMahon, Delve someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck for 5 -10 minutes. i think everyone is intimidated by Genia, who get the shits when things dont go to plan; DHP is good but no Ben Smith to inspire at fullback. they have the talent but this year again they are less than the sum of their parts, not more. is it Wessels or the on field leadership ? who knows, but it is a real pity.

 

[Rug&tug]

Agree with a lot of that swingpass.
A Delve type character would have been really useful the last few weeks. Presume we were hoping Coleman would become that for us.
Philip looks the most likely long term to me?
Genia seems to loving it when we’re marching forward and he’s slapping arses, shouting people into position..does seem to sook tho when his ball ain’t so clean.the my way or the highway type..but hey, he’s got a few more caps than me so I probably shouldn’t judge!

 

[Strewthcobber]

Was just about the most lethargic I've vever seen Genia and makes me think he shouldn't have been playing at all.

Players never seem to go too well the week after a big headknock.

 

[oztimmay]

Agree with a lot of that swingpass.
A Delve type character would have been really useful the last few weeks. Presume we were hoping Coleman would become that for us.
Philip looks the most likely long term to me?
Genia seems to loving it when we’re marching forward and he’s slapping arses, shouting people into position..does seem to sook tho when his ball ain’t so clean.the my way or the highway type..but hey, he’s got a few more caps than me so I probably shouldn’t judge!

I agree with this 100%. From watching warm-ups, to game time, he seems like the kind of player to be the pack leader. Always talking positiviely, injecting himself into play, and breaking the advantage line. Captain, not sure yet, but could defiently be.

 

[Tex]

Dickie Hardwick is another favourite. Not the best loosie running around but gives it 100% energy and enthusiasm. A great clubman

 

[Rug&tug]

Dickie Hardwick is another favourite. Not the best loosie running around but gives it 100% energy and enthusiasm. A great clubman

He’s definitely got some starch.
Feel like he just needs to get one full injury free season into him. Could then really push on and make good on his obvious talents.
Dickie and leota could have a decent battle for a jersey over the next few years.

 

[James Pettifer]

So it has come to this. 2019 and the finals. Win and we are in the finals for the first time.
Lose with a bonus point and if the Stormers beat the Sharks, then we might creep in ahead of the winner of the Waratahs and the Highlanders game
Lose without any bonus points and the Chiefs and the winner of the Waratahs and the Highlanders will both get above us resulting in a 9th or lower place.

Overall, the season has been disappointing. There seems to be no plan B and if a team puts in a rush defense with pressure on the breakdown, it is all over.

What I don't understand is how the coaching staff can't see that 1) they need a plan B and 2) the kicking game (particularly the box kicks) almost never works.

 

[swingpass]

Overall, the season has been disappointing.

.

quite possibly the understatement of the year

 

[Tex]

Can the data nerds establish a way to count the dropped balls and knock ons when we're within 10m of the try line? We're fine scoring from longer range but get the ball within a sniff of the chalk and they all grow tits for hands.

Spare a thought for me, chaps. I've bearing the dual cross of supporting the Rebels and Essendon. Has there been a more abject decade for sports fans? Probably, but it's fucking rubbish to be neck deep in it. At least in the league us Mexicans have a port in the Storm.

 

[James Pettifer]

quite possibly the understatement of the year

Currently the equal most wins of a season. Ok the team is better but at least there have been some wins

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Dickie Hardwick is another favourite. Not the best loosie running around but gives it 100% energy and enthusiasm.

Almost ran down Havili last night, long after the backs had flagged it as a lost cause. Team down by about 6 million to nil at that stage. Funny the things that make an impression

 

[Scooter]

So it was all doom and gloom last night and rightfully so but the sun has come up in the morning. As James Pettifer points out if we win we make the finals. I know easier said than done, but surely Wessels can get the troops up for this one.

If we get a losing bonus point we could also finish above the Lions if they lost by more than 7 points to the Bulls. We could also sneak in with a losing bonus point if the Sharks beat the Stormers by more than 7 points or if both the Stormers and Rebels get a losing bonus point and Stormers lose by 3 more points than we do.

 

[Scooter]

We are helped by the South African derbies which sees 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th all playing each other.

 

[Rebels3]

Can the data nerds establish a way to count the dropped balls and knock ons when we're within 10m of the try line? We're fine scoring from longer range but get the ball within a sniff of the chalk and they all grow tits for hands.

Spare a thought for me, chaps. I've bearing the dual cross of supporting the Rebels and Essendon. Has there been a more abject decade for sports fans? Probably, but it's fucking rubbish to be neck deep in it. At least in the league us Mexicans have a port in the Storm.

I feel your pain mate, I support the Raiders in the league and obviously Rebels.

 

[Rebels3]

Something has to happen differently in the prep this week.

I can’t believe people last year were saying they were happy to miss the finals because we would of got pumped first game.

Making finals is so crucial for clubs. It attracts sponsors and it attracts fans through associated success. It changes the culture of teams building a winning mentality, it’s no surprise the same clubs generally make the finals most season because they know how. It also helps attract players and retain them.

Defense needs to be this weeks focus. Namely the contact area.

 

[KevinO]

So it was all doom and gloom last night and rightfully so but the sun has come up in the morning. As James Pettifer points out if we win we make the finals. I know easier said than done, but surely Wessels can get the troops up for this one.

If we get a losing bonus point we could also finish above the Lions if they lost by more than 7 points to the Bulls. We could also sneak in with a losing bonus point if the Sharks beat the Stormers by more than 7 points or if both the Stormers and Rebels get a losing bonus point and Stormers lose by 3 more points than we do.

We don't deserve it, what's the point in scrapping in and getting another 60 point flogging in the first week against the Saders or pumas.

Should only be top 6 finals, you should need to win more than 50% to make finals.

 

[Rebels3]

We don't deserve it, what's the point in scrapping in and getting another 60 point flogging in the first week against the Saders or pumas.

Should only be top 6 finals, you should need to win more than 50% to make finals.

It’s huge to make the finals, it sets standards. It brings money in, sponsors in, players are wanting to play for you. Good teams usually are built over time, rarely do you become non finals team one year then serious contenders the next.

No offense but I don’t understand that thinking.

The increase in finals spots has been one of the few things Super Rugby has got right in recent years. So many games still worth something other than pride. Without promotion and relegation or teams fighting for things like European spots, it’s the only thing to engage people for a longer duration. The NRL, AFL both have top 8 systems, NBA has 16 teams in the finals, NHL 16 teams, 10 teams in the MLB. Almost in every situation the best team still wins overall, or at least 2nd-3rd best.

 

[Rebelsfan]

congratulations to our very own MRRU Board member Bob Dalziel for receiving his AM for significant service to the community, to rugby union, and to business. Well done Bob.

 

[KevinO]

8 teams is more than 50% of the comp. That's not right, none of those other comps you mention have more than 50% of the comp making finals. None of those teams that makes finals only have a 50% win ratio

 

[Rebels3]

8 teams is more than 50% of the comp. That's not right, none of those other comps you mention have more than 50% of the comp making finals. None of those teams that makes finals only have a 50% win ratio

That’s not true the NHL and NBA both have more than 50% of comp reaching playoff. NBA for example has 16/30 teams. It’s about engagement with markets and fans. Unlike other competitions, we haven’t got the luxury of 50% of the clubs coming from the same country, essentially allowing the media positive coverage for 50% of the teams. So basically for every positive story there is a negative one. Our issue is that it’s possible for 75% of the teams to get negative coverage due to their final standing. Plus no other mitigating competitions to engage fans during the season or end of season looking for qualification in competitions that run next year, no backs to the wall relegation scraps to engage fans. As someone lucky enough to work with other sporting bodies, it’s clear Super Rugby is a shocking model for fan engagement but the commercial reality means it is what it is.