Rebels 2023
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Strong signing for the Rebels, if they manage to get the value out of him without giving up a current starter.
It’s a bit of a sad assessment of our professional game that a player coming off what will likely be 12 months injury lay-off and is looking to change teams, still gets to dictate terms regarding sabbaticals or threatening to bail overseas full time.
It’s a bit of a sad assessment of our professional game that a player coming off what will likely be 12 months injury lay-off and is looking to change teams, still gets to dictate terms regarding sabbaticals or threatening to bail overseas full time.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Assuming there is a sabbatical, which reportedly was a critical part of the 4 year negotiations, but may have been scrapped under the shorter 2 year deal. You’d assume the sabbatical would be next year, in order to be back for the Lions Tour.
So joining the Rebels in 2025? In which case we won’t see Tupou play Super Rugby for next 2 years.
So joining the Rebels in 2025? In which case we won’t see Tupou play Super Rugby for next 2 years.
Unless they come to Qld.
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
If he is only signing for two it’s unlikely their is a sabbatical
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
He is one of the best THPs in the world, which also happens to be a fairly in demand position.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
You'd have to have them all fit at once for that to work. More than half of them have had a season ending injury in the past year.
Misunderstood fan
Jimmy Flynn (14)
Is the Kerevi negotiation still going or dead in the water? Read it on here somewhere. Rebels picking up some of our best.
Members Section
John Thornett (49)
He has knocked back a 1 yr deal with RA & will stay in Japan on a long term deal
swingpass
Peter Sullivan (51)
this
Rebel man
John Thornett (49)
It’s not risky at all, the rebels have been historically a poor performing franchise. They get one of the best players in Aus and one of the best players from a top two side in Aus.
If it fails we are in the same boat we normally are in if it succeeds we start to climb
swingpass
Peter Sullivan (51)
if the contract with them has sufficient safeguards for the Rebels then there is potentially a lot of upside and personally i hope he comes and dominates, but there is as much potential for a significant clusterfuck, losing either/or both Eloff and Fa'aumasili without any gain.
Tex
Greg Davis (50)
That's my concern. So much work has gone into developing players and culture in-house. Bringing in the biggest name in the country is good on paper, but fuck I hope we get value out of him and don't nuke a bunch of existing players needlessly.
All that said - he's a beast and would be my favourite Aussie player, so I'm definitely stoked. He's a phenom and I hope he finds a good home in Melbourne.
Dctarget
Tim Horan (67)
It almost feels weird discussing winning. It's just not something that goes with the Rebels. But yes, Tupou is a fantastic start. Would be amazing if we can string together some good performances this year, improve players and have a genuine foundation ready for him come his arrival.
On that, what is everyone's pass mark for the season?
Assuming we're still doing the stupid 8 teams finals in a 12 team comp. Then making finals is a pass mark for me. And I genuinely think that's ambitious aha. Last year we came 10th with 4 wins, I wanna come 8th or better with 6 wins. Would be amazing if two of those came from kiwi teams.
I know it's been a lot of fun of fans sticking it to the Rebels about it being a player development grave yard but this year we have no excuse. Ignoring Foote, he has Sampson & Stiles as assistants who should have ample time and opportunity to develop them. To round out my desires for the year I want Hosea, Kemeny & hopefully Gordon to be in Wallabies conversations by the end of the year.