Rebels 2021

[sendit]

Someone needs to jump on CFS, I think the tahs need him more but regardless he is too good to be a bench player

 

[Rebels3]

Tell the big sook Rodda that we'll make him club captain for life and laugh at all his jokes if he comes south.

I’m still under the impression Philip will be back for the backend of next season.

 

[Rebel man]

Would love Skelton and McMahon to give us some experience and leadership in the pack. All our forwards are under 25, while individually they are all promising players we need a wise head and a leader

 

[swingpass]

What we really need is a new attack coach and an improved defence wouldnt go astray either

 

[Dctarget]

What we really need is a new attack coach and an improved defence wouldnt go astray either

Sports psychologist to teach the boys how to fkn put the ball down when they're over the line?

 

[GoMelbRebels]

What we really need is a new attack coach and an improved defence wouldnt go astray either

Get Hilly back. Our attack was not too shabby under him (defense not so good, though).

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I'm happy with Gordon @ 10 if the rumours are true. The gnashing of teeth in the Reds forums is getting me excited.
Same with Powell at 9 if that happens.

Yeah another lock would be great, I think Hosea is immense but Philip & Jones leaving leaves the cupboards bare. Cummins isn't up to it I don't think. Wood could be an option, I'm also excited for Ha'angana to have more time with the senior squad.

I would love a 13 and a tight head prop. No reason the Rebels scrum always has to be weak. Pone may be that man and I hope he learns a lot at the squad. I would rather Hodge is at fullback and we get a specialist 13.

If you look at our XV it's made up 5 or 6 absolutely star players then just a whole lot of battlers. Every team needs battlers but not this many.

Orr has surprised me, I'll reserve my judgement for next season.

1. Orr
2. Uelese
3. ?
4. Hosea
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. Naisarani
9. Powell
10. Gordon
11. Koroibete
12. To'omua
13. ?
14. ?
15. Hodge/DHP
16. No idea who will be our reserve
17. Eloff - think he's coming along nicely.
18. Ainsley/Pone
19. Ha'angana
20. Hardwick/Wilkin
21. Tuttle
22. Tupou
23. Kellaway - don't know what happened to his form, expected better in the 2nd half of the season. But with Ramm, Daugunu, CFS, Vunivalu, Wright, Muirhead, Kata and Ralston there's always room for improvement.

I've sorta resigned myself to losing DHP but would be stoked if he stayed. Wilkin & Hardwick are great and try hard but I'd want at least one of my 6 or 7 in the Aus 46 squad (though the Brumbies do fine). Aus has some world class flankers and we don't have them (though I'm curious to see Wilkin after an injury free off season).

So, if we could get two or three more star players to replace those question marks then fill up the rest with battlers, I'd be happy. Search me where you find a tight head like HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), AAA or Tupou but I want one.

Kellaway off to japan so scratch him as with Ainsley to highlanders

 

[Rebels3]

Kemeny at no.6 going forward surely, was good in his games he played this year. Team results actually got worse when experience was favored in the last few games.

 

[GoMelbRebels]

Kellaway off to japan so scratch him as with Ainsley to highlanders

I think Kellaway got on the plane to Japan at the start of Super Rugby AU. His form went strangely MIA, though he did give it a good crack last Saturday.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Would love Skelton and McMahon to give us some experience and leadership in the pack. All our forwards are under 25, while individually they are all promising players we need a wise head and a leader

Is anybody convinced weasels is right person to coach and create high oerforming team as answer no then does it really matter who the rebels recruit. I think rebels would be better spending the money on a high profile proven coach

 

[GoMelbRebels]

Is anybody convinced weasels is right person to coach and create high oerforming team as answer no then does it really matter who the rebels recruit. I think rebels would be better spending the money on a high profile proven coach

Not 100% convinced, no, but unless there is a Super coach waiting in the wings it could be change for change sake. I also wonder sometimes if the squad is as good as everyone thinks it is. Just because someone has one Wallaby cap or spent some time in the national training squad means they are that good. Maybe more potential than anything.

 

[Mick The Munch]

I see Sa'ai Faainiga is out of contract - would be great back up to Uelese.

How long is Jono Lance at the Force for - Lance and Gordon would be nice

 

[Mick The Munch]

Liam Gill is a Melbourne boy as well

I see Sa'ai Faainiga is out of contract - would be great back up to Uelese.

How long is Jono Lance at the Force for - Lance and Gordon would be nice

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Not sure if anyone listened to the Rugby Ruckus Podcast the other week when Ben Darwin spoke about cohesion.

But essentially what i took away from it is that the Rebels constant chopping and changing during the season and roster overhauls post season are a key issue.

I think the rebels have the makings of a good team but a lot of their players have not really had that much time in the saddle together. I would try and lockdown as many lads as possible and run it back.

I note the chairman's email said they have re-signed 70% of the roster. I would be trying to get that up to 80-85% if possible.

 

[GoMelbRebels]

I note the chairman's email said they have re-signed 70% of the roster. I would be trying to get that up to 80-85% if possible.

I agree, but considering the uncertainty of Super Rugby at the moment, 70% is not as bad as I was expecting. It would be nice, though, to go season to season with minimal disruption.

 

[Derpus]

Not sure if anyone listened to the Rugby Ruckus Podcast the other week when Ben Darwin spoke about cohesion.

But essentially what i took away from it is that the Rebels constant chopping and changing during the season and roster overhauls post season are a key issue.

I think the rebels have the makings of a good team but a lot of their players have not really had that much time in the saddle together. I would try and lockdown as many lads as possible and run it back.

I note the chairman's email said they have re-signed 70% of the roster. I would be trying to get that up to 80-85% if possible.

You don't need Ben Darwin's analytics to tell you that changing your halves pairing every game is going to fuck you.

 

[swingpass]

The massive churn and instability at the Rebels has been a problem since day dot. The 2018 & 2019 squads were the most stable in terms of who was theoretically available both seasons, they badly missed the opportunity to capitalise on that by getting into the finals in either year.

 

[Mick The Munch]

Agreed - It would be great if we kept Louwens and had Powell, pushing each other.

Great that we have To'omua for another season (at least) for stability

You don't need Ben Darwin's analytics to tell you that changing your halves pairing every game is going to fuck you.

 

[Rebel man]

Jeral Skeleton, what position does he play in 15s?

 

[GoMelbRebels]

Jeral Skeleton, what position does he play in 15s?

Not sure, but from this quote in a Rebels article from Skelton he is now a forward?
“Training wise it’s been a little bit different – getting used to how I play as a forward, having been so used to playing as a back in the sevens.