G’day sports fans, and welcome to yet another edition of Rebels Rugby – The Preview™.
The way to the heart of every die-hard rugby supporter is to give ‘em what they want, and what you want is an ill-informed, crass, uneducated and confusing piece of rugby “journalism”, completely devoid of facts, stats and basic research. I’m your boy!
So let’s dive in and get this show on the road.
When last we met, I was banging on about how the Rebels would get up against the Sharks. I was pretty close to being right. I mean, OK, they lost, but they could have won. So let’s not dwell on the inaccuracy of my prediction and instead, let’s celebrate how close I got. Near-enough is good enough for me.
The thing is, near enough is becoming a bit of a mantra for the Rebels in season 2014. “So close”. “Brave”. “Courageous”. These are some of the words that have been used to describe the Rebels this year, and almost always after yet another loss. And while there is no doubt that the Rebels are building something special, let’s not mince words; results matter.
Season 2014 is all but bust for the Rebels after what can only be described as a pretty big build-up during the pre-season. New coach, new players. An enforcement of the “No Dickheads” policy and a club record three straight pre-season wins. And how can we forget that spectacular opening game?
Rebels – more of this please – near enough is not good enough
However, one look at the conference ladder tells us that the Rebels have since fallen short on the only real marker a team can have during a pro-sport season. Wins. But yet, yet, this jaded reporter can see the potential that just needs to be unlocked.
The game against the Sharks was one where the Rebels could quite rightly feel they only had themselves to blame. Majority of possession was a good start, but holy moly, could they have shot themselves in the foot any more if they had tried? 18 turn-overs. Yes, 18.
It was fitting (yet gaspingly disappointing) that the game ended with the Rebels streaming towards the try line to score what would have been a massive winning try after the siren.only to turn-over the ball within 10 metres and have the ref point both teams towards the showers.
So, to this week against the Hurricanes.
Not sure what the thinking is here by Coach Tony in regards the hooker position. Shota Horie was superb last week yet can only get a spot polishing the pine while Pat Leafa starts. Pat is a talented young player, but it is worth noting that the first two line-out throws by Pat when he subbed Shota late in the second half against the Sharks went straight down the throat of the Shark line-out jumpers. I’m just saying.
Shota Horie – should be starting
And isn’t the 4 spot a massive turnaround? Hugh Pyle had that spot locked in (pardon the atrocious pun), and Rebel Neville was for all intents and purposes a permanent bench sitter, and now Hugh couldn’t get a game minute if he begged for it. Is this coincidence that it seemed to happen around the time Hugh said au voir to the Rebels for the end of the year? Tin foil hat time; all conspiracy theories welcome. One thing is for sure – Hugh can likely wave goodbye to that Gold Jersey come July-Dec.
Don’t ask me to speak about the ‘Canes and who is in the team and who isn’t; I really don’t care. All I know is that they will present yet another challenge to the Melbourne lads and if they take their hands off the defensive wheel, so to speak, there is a ‘Canes backline chock full of talent just waiting to pounce.
Thank goodness for Jason Woodward. I know it’s a team game but without his boot the Rebels for and against percentage would be looking so much worse than it is. Get this bloke into a Gold jersey, stat.
Jason Woodward – get this bloke in a gold jersey
So, the only thing we can call predictable about the ‘Canes is their lack of predictability. They love to throw the ball around, and they don’t mind a bit of a grubber kick for a good old fashioned foot race to the line.
For the Rebels, speculators of the type the ‘Canes can do should under no circumstances be attempted by us; frankly, we are shit at it. Yes Bryce, I’m looking at you. No clever little kicks, please. They aren’t clever and can only be labelled “kicks” because they just happen to come off your feet. Any resemblance to a kick ends there.
I love my team, but I’m not the one-eyed variety. I criticise because I love them, and open and honest feedback is far better than fawning acquiescence.
Anyway, I predict the Rebels will win this. How much? Buggered if I know. 3? 10? Ah, let’s say by 5. Sorry, you expected me to say something else? All I can tell you is that I will enjoy a great night of Rebels rugby at the greatest rugby venue in the entire world, and then I will back it up with an all-nighter at the Rebels Gala Ball on Saturday night. I even got my suit pressed.
See you at the big show on Friday night.
Melbourne Rebels v Hurricanes.
Friday, 9th My 2014. 7:30pm.
AAMI Park, Melbourne.
Rebels
1. Cruze Ah-Nau,2. Pat Leafa,3. Laurie Weeks,4. Cadeyrn Neville,5. Luke Jones,6. Colby Fainga’a,7. Scott Fuglistaller,8. Scott Higginbotham (C),9. Luke Burgess,10. Bryce Hegarty,11. Tom English,12. Mitch Inman ,13. Tamati Ellison,14. Male Sau,15. Jason Woodward.
Replacements : 16. Shota Horie,17. Max Lahiff,18. Paul Alo-Emilie,19. Hugh Pyle,20. Sean McMahon,21. Ben Meehan,22. Tom Kingston,23. Angus Roberts
.
