Rebels v Highlanders Super Rugby Rd 5

[KevinO]

Rebels return to Melbourne with a 3-1 record, the clan visits with the same 3-1 record.

The Rebels will really be wanting a good performance here to prove they really are finals contenders in 2016, so far our 3 wins have been against the bottom of the table sides. It's time to start showing that we can match it with the best.

 

[qwerty51]

The Rebels (and Chiefs) travel is far worse than anything the Jaguares or Sunwolves have done.

 

[Tex]

I reckon the travel load will take its toll and we'll get spanked out wide by some simple draw and pass rugby.

Hopefully the injury ward gets emptied and some of the blokes who've been putting in heavy shifts can have a rest.

 

[swingpass]

provided they cut out the aimless kicking to the Clan back three i think the defence will hold up pretty well. i think the defensive structure has been the Rebels most impressive change this year actually (Bulls game aside)

 

[Highlander35]

Hanson straight back into 2. If they'd be happy for Nic to start, maybe swap out Sean for Fugs to keep reasonably fresh. Maybe rotate Shipperley out if Crawford is fully fit, otherwise have him on the bench for Sione planning to sub Jonah at 60ish minutes. Timani looked to have taken a little knock, maybe start Jeffries.

While we want to win, trying to prevent more injuries and keep players reasonably fresh is also important.

 

[Dumbledore]

Was surprised by just how much better Stirzaker's passing and speed of decision making was than Meehan's when he came on. Doesn't have the same kicking game, but his fundamentals are much, much, better. Did see him grab his shoulder after a tackle, so I wonder if he's still not 100%. If he's good to go I'd start him.

 

[Dumbledore]

I reckon the travel load will take its toll and we'll get spanked out wide by some simple draw and pass rugby.

Hopefully the injury ward gets emptied and some of the blokes who've been putting in heavy shifts can have a rest.

It's a tricky balance. You obviously don't want to just throw a game and give some of your big dogs a rest, but cynically they have to be thinking about it given the travel and minutes some of the boys have put in.

Thought Fuglistaller was really good when he came on, we've got amazing depth at openside.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Jeez I think that little bloke who was too small to play for the Reds, is having a wow start to the season. It would seem he is a captain who leads from the front and the other lads just fall in behind him.

Great position for Australia to be in even with Gilly heading to France. and Poey doing whatever Poey is going to do next year.

 

[GoMelbRebels]

Rebels return to Melbourne with a 3-1 record, the clan visits with the same 3-1 record.

The Rebels will really be wanting a good performance here to prove they really are finals contenders in 2016, so far our 3 wins have been against the bottom of the table sides. It's time to start showing that we can match it with the best.

Teams tend to only play as well as their opposition. Here's hoping the Rebels lift to the 'Landers level, which is a long way to lift, I admit...

 

[KevinO]

Was surprised by just how much better Stirzaker's passing and speed of decision making was than Meehan's when he came on. Doesn't have the same kicking game, but his fundamentals are much, much, better. Did see him grab his shoulder after a tackle, so I wonder if he's still not 100%. If he's good to go I'd start him.

Hard to drop a guy with 3 meat pies in 4 games. Position should be his until Nic is really pushing for it off the bench, his 10 minutes was not enough of a cameo to earn a start.

Thinks might be different in a few weeks but for now Ben has earned the starters spot.

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

 

[Brumby Runner]

Don't kick to the Highlanders' back three, and you're in with more than half a chance.

On the question of travel, did the Highlanders stay over the week in Aus (presumably Melbourne) or did they return to NZ between games?

 

[elementfreak]

Teams tend to only play as well as their opposition. Here's hoping the Rebels lift to the 'Landers level, which is a long way to lift, I admit.

Or just drag them down to play our style of game!

 

[oztimmay]

Injury update:

The Melbourne Rebels welcomed back captain Nic Stirzaker and Scott Fuglistaller from injuries after the pair took the field as second half substitutes in the team’s 35-9 victory over the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Round Four.

Cam Crawford has overcome his hamstring injury and will be available for selection while Reece Hodge, who suffered a quad strain at training ahead of Round Two in Pretoria, will undergo a fitness test this week.

Steve Cummins will be unavailable for 6-8 weeks after suffering a contact based hamstring injury.

The Melbourne Rebels injury update following Round Four against the Sunwolves at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo:

• Cam Crawford (Hamstring): available
• Reece Hodge (Quad): fitness test
• Colby Fainga’a (Elbow): 2 – 3 weeks
• Steve Cummins (Hamstring): 6 – 8 weeks
• Mike Harris (Quad): 7 – 9 weeks
• Tim Metcher (Hamstring – 2015 NRC): Indefinite
• Sefa Naivalu (Leg – 2015 Super Rugby): Indefinite

 

[Tex]

The hell is a "contact-based hamstring injury"?

 

[Dumbledore]

Hard to drop a guy with 3 meat pies in 4 games. Position should be his until Nic is really pushing for it off the bench, his 10 minutes was not enough of a cameo to earn a start.

Thinks might be different in a few weeks but for now Ben has earned the starters spot.

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

I think it's fair to say you've never really rated Stirzaker though?

The tries argument is a reasonable one, especially given the difficulties we've had picking them up over the last few years. I think Stirzaker is comfortably the better player though. The fact that his passes actually go flat and in front of the man should get Debreczeni taking the ball on the front foot again, which can only be a good thing.

 

[RugbyReg]

The hell is a "contact-based hamstring injury"?

a cork?

 

[Tex]

a cork?

My thoughts exactly. Must be a hell of a bruise

 

[Highlander35]

Would prefer not to rush Hodge back. Getting him off the bench next week would be enough, look to get him into the 15 jersey after the bye. No disrespect to Placid or Crawford, but the centers are settled, the wingers are hitting form and Jack needs a playmaker buddy.

 

[teach]

Don't kick to the Highlanders' back three, and you're in with more than half a chance.

On the question of travel, did the Highlanders stay over the week in Aus (presumably Melbourne) or did they return to NZ between games?

Pretty sure they stayed as they are apparently at a training base in Manly. Or so says a news report I read just now. The coaches were being interviewed about some of the dodgy refereeing calls that went against them on the weekend.

On a more positive note (for Highlanders fans at least), the injury problems that left them with a weakened team for the Waratahs game are over.
Joe Wheeler (lock), Dan Pryor (loosie), Osborne, Whitelock and Hohneck should all be back. Though Faddes may be out.

 

[KevinO]

I think it's fair to say you've never really rated Stirzaker though?

The tries argument is a reasonable one, especially given the difficulties we've had picking them up over the last few years. I think Stirzaker is comfortably the better player though. The fact that his passes actually go flat and in front of the man should get Debreczeni taking the ball on the front foot again, which can only be a good thing.

I agree Stirzakers passing game is better than Meehan, I think Meehan's kicking game and support play is better than Stirzaker.

Stirzaker has a tenancy to try run to often and gets caught out to easily leaving the whole team on the back foot, he does it when there is no support around to clear a ruck. When you watch Smith snipe he normally has someone to offload to so his not out of position to get the next phase going.

Scrum half's should not be caught at the bottom of the ruck as often as Stirzaker is. His role is to get play moving not to be a ball carrier and take flankers on all game.

Meehan also gives away less penalties in my opinion.