Round 5: Rebels v Tahs - Friday 19/3, AAMI Park, 7:45pm AEDT

[Rugbynutter39]

I think the league bit is a furphy.

He was in our under 20 World Cup squad in 2018 so it's not like he's just started playing rugby.

He was in the league system as 15 year old and went to Westfield high which is league nursery. Happy to always have league players see the light though...

 

[Blackadder]

MELBOURNE REBELS (1-15):

Cabous Eloff, James Hanson, Pone Faamausili, Steve Cummins, Trevor Hosea, Joshua Kemeny, Richard Hardwick, Michael Wells, Joe Powell, Matt To’omua (c), Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Stacey Ili, Lachie Anderson, Tom Pincus
Reserves:

Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Lucio Sordoni, Tom Nowlan, Rob Leota, James Tuttle, Glen Vaihu, Frank Lomani
INs:

OUTs:

NSW WARATAHS (1-15):

Harry Johnson-Holmes, David Porecki, Tetera Faulkner, Hugh Sinclair, Sam Caird, Lachie Swinton, Carlo Tizzano, Jack Dempsey, Jack Grant, Will Harrison, James Ramm, Tepai Moeroa, Alex Newsome (c), Jack Maddocks, Mark Nawaqanitawase
Reserves:

Tom Horton, George Francis, Darcy Breen, Sam Wykes, Jeremy Williams, Henry Robertson, Tane Edmed, Lalakai Foketi

Ed Craig has been dropped. What are the Wallabies going to do.....

 

[Blackadder]

Bell not fit yet?

Expected back next week hopefully

 

[RugbyReg]

He started a number of games at THP for Sydney Uni last year. He was around the under 20s squad a couple of years ago. No idea how he'll fare here.

What do you think about George Francis? He's come down from Queensland hasn't he?

Francis was probably the best prop in QPR last season and many were surprised when he didn’t land a Reds squad spot. Glad he’s got a gig.

 

[Derpus]

I wasn't too heartbroken when Wells went to Melbourne, but we could sure use players like him now.

Sums up Tahs recruitment entirely, really

 

[fatprop]

I had to look up him and George Francis when announced as reserves - George Francis ex league player who played league Australian schoolboys so interesting to see if league pedigree brings anything to his game

It is a bit old school, but loads of kids used to play both versions each week with the best playing rep stuff. eg my school in the west was league, my weekend Saturday team was rugby and I played a season of RL on Sundays

 

[fatprop]

I wasn't too heartbroken when Wells went to Melbourne, but we could sure use players like him now.

He left when we had Hanigan, dempsey, hooper as first choice, he was a bench option moving for more game time

 

[Froggy]

I don't think Wells is any better than Dempsey, I'm glad Wells has a starting gig but among plenty of ordinary recruitment decisions I don't think that was one.
In fact, with Swinton, Tizzano, Dempsey, Sinclair, Harris, Gamble and Hooper to return, I would suggest the back row is about the only area where we are at Super rugby standard!

 

[fatprop]

I am somewhat dubious as to Dempsey's value, he just doesn't do enough 6 & 8 stuff.

He had a decent test where he made wonderful front foot ball, but as a day to day backrower he doesn't provide dominant tackles, win lineouts, win regular turnovers or create dominant cleanouts, so without his serious running metres, beating defenders and creating front foot ball - what is he for?

 

[Braveheart81]

He was in the league system as 15 year old and went to Westfield high which is league nursery. Happy to always have league players see the light though.

All I meant by it was that he isn't a recent league convert trying his hand at rugby with it being a case of wait and see how he adapts.

 

[Jets]

Francis gave plenty of QPR props nightmares, good to see him getting noticed.

I'm also off Dempsey. Had a great game in the Test in Brisbane a few years ago and I was excited. I just find him ineffective now. One of those guys that looks busy but doesn't achieve much.

 

[fatprop]

Tahs have a better side than their last game, hopefully they provide improvement and compete smart and hard

 

[Tex]

The Rebels should be confident going into this match, which is precisely the circumstance that leads us to get spanked. Won't be surprised if the Tahs get up and we do our customary choke and fumble performance.

#expectationmanagement

 

[swingpass]

y

The Rebels should be confident going into this match, which is precisely the circumstance that leads us to get spanked. Won't be surprised if the Tahs get up and we do our customary choke and fumble performance.

#expectationmanagement

yes, i absolutely hate it when they are expected to win.

 

[7137]

y
yes, i absolutely hate it when they are expected to win.

A head to head matchup of the 23’s and only Tizzano and maybe Dempsey would be in a combined side. This is beyond a foregone conclusion.

 

[swingpass]

A head to head matchup of the 23’s and only Tizzano and maybe Dempsey would be in a combined side. This is beyond a foregone conclusion.

which is why its highly likely to be for Rebels fans

 

[KevinO]

A head to head matchup of the 23’s and only Tizzano and maybe Dempsey would be in a combined side. This is beyond a foregone conclusion.

i'd take Maddocks over Anderson if it's the Maddocks when he was here. Current form, tight call. Think he needs more ball cause his been starved rather then playing poor.

 

[Froggy]

For me Ramm over Anderson (Maddocks will be marking Koro) and the Tahs back row. Full stop.

 

[Hawko]

Francis gave plenty of QPR props nightmares, good to see him getting noticed.

I'm also off Dempsey. Had a great game in the Test in Brisbane a few years ago and I was excited. I just find him ineffective now. One of those guys that looks busy but doesn't achieve much.

He was one of our best players last game.

 

[RebelYell]

To those heading along to the Stockade tonight, bloody well enjoy it. You've had to wait so long - you deserve it. Carn Rebs!