Wallabies v Fiji, 3pm Sat 10th June, AAMI Park, Melbourne

[swingpass]

Why arent their european plyers available?

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Given Cheika's oft repeated proposition that he doesn't see a place for senior players who are not starters "because they don't need more training"
and his announcement of Moore as captain: what's going on?

 

[GaffaCHinO]

I only count Dane Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman.

Anyone I'm missing?

Reg do we need to have a talk....

 

[GoMelbRebels]

Reg do we need to have a talk..

You WERE warned, Reg.

 

[Joe Blow]

Given Cheika's oft repeated proposition that he doesn't see a place for senior players who are not starters "because they don't need more training"
and his announcement of Moore as captain: what's going on?

Could have a niggle and is being saved for Scotland or could just be Cheika taking the piss?

 

[Dan54]

Why arent their european plyers available?

I assuming it would have a bit to do with money somehow swingpass, and not to sure if the Fijian boys in Europe would be encouraged by their clubs to come down for a not too important test. And to be completely honest I not too sure if the Fijians may have decided to just use it as a development type game.
They are reasons I guessing.

 

[Scooter]

Nice to see so many Rebels in the Wallabies side

Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk

KevinO the Rebels leading try scorer in our history is there plus a guy who once signed a letter of intent with us.

Seriously though who would have thought that there would be more Rebels in Fiji starting 15 than Wallabies starting 15.

TBC must be talented filling all spots on the bench. I know Cheika has done it before but surely when you announce your team you can announce the 23.

 

[RugbyReg]

From Payto and Panda.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...n/news-story/01cc75eb7f6c4ec0694164f801ae37ab

A year after setting the AAMI Park ground record of 29,871 against England, the Wallabies-Fiji game is a on track to draw a crowd around half of that. Or less.

The lowest home crowd in the professional era is 14,281 when Australia played Argentina on the Gold Coast.

Prior to that, crowds of 7000-8000 weren’t uncommon in the 1970s and 80s. In 1987, only 4000 turned out for a World Cup qualifier against South Korea.​

Fiji have never drawn huge crowds in Australia, the Rebels crowds have been poor this year and as far as expendable income goes, the Wallabies are not only up against AFL but a sold-out Argentina-Brazil soccer game at the MCG on Friday night.​

But there is a feeling in Melbourne rugby circles that some people are fuming at the ARU for contemplating cutting the Rebels and are voting with their dollars.

 

[Braveheart81]

Youch. That is not good.

 

[oztimmay]

From Payto and Panda.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...n/news-story/01cc75eb7f6c4ec0694164f801ae37ab

Can you blame us?

 

[oztimmay]

Youch. That is not good.

Yea, agree it's not a good look. But if you bring the Rebels future into question, people will vote with their feet.

 

[dru]

Can you blame us?

No.

 

[RugbyReg]

I think we all anticipated these June tests to draw small crowds. I am scared to think about what the Italy test in Brisbane will draw.

Obviously the Super Rugby debacle has made it worse in Melbourne too.

 

[KOB1987]

Yea, agree it's not a good look. But if you bring the Rebels future into question, people will vote with their feet.

Hmmm. I hear what you're saying but I reckon if this match was in Perth the TWF and 'I am The Force' movements would be trying to get as many people there as possible to show the powers that their city is a viable rugby centre.

My read on it is that the average Melbournian doesn't give a fuck about rugby.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think a reasonable element of it has to be the ability of Fiji to draw a crowd.

I'd imagine if we were playing England or another big drawing team, AAMI Park would still be packed out or close to.

 

[Braveheart81]

My read on it is that the average Melbournian doesn't give a fuck about rugby.

Would this test draw more than 25k in Sydney? I'd doubt it.

 

[KOB1987]

Would this test draw more than 25k in Sydney? I'd doubt it.

Given the questionable quality of the Fiji side I think 25K would be a good result in Sydney. My post was more about the attitude of the Melb (non) supporters v the WA ones i.e. not going instead of going.

The benchmark will be next week in Sydney, a Saturday arvo test v Scotland should be close to a 35K crowd at Allianz.

 

[fatprop]

Given Cheika's oft repeated proposition that he doesn't see a place for senior players who are not starters "because they don't need more training"
and his announcement of Moore as captain: what's going on?

Shouldn't we wait to see the bench before getting overly concerned? (again the argument is over 10 minutes of game time)

I also expect all three hookers will get time over the next 3 weeks

 

[GoMelbRebels]

My read on it is that the average Melbournian doesn't give a fuck about rugby.

So, the sold out AAMI Park test last year was full of average Melburians who care not for Rugby? And no, not all ex-pat poms, either.

It is easy to say Perth would draw a bigger crowd when you can't actually prove it.

 

[Braveheart81]

Joe Powell and Richard Hardwick in line to make their test debuts.