Look to the news year, including the Rising
It is early to understand if the Rebels will use the NRC in the 2014 or 2015 style.
In 2014 the Melbourne Rising were the Rebels in disguise. The stable team based provided the chance to inject local talent into the team. Super Sefa is a great success story of this approach. However, a number of local players didn’t get a lot of game time.
Last season the Rising used another approach; they forgave success to give more space to the local players. They did not play any games at AAMI Park, instead they chose to take the game on the road, including both local and regional locations. However, this new formula didn’t result in on-field success. More local players had a chance to taste NRC, but the team didn’t had the structure to enable another SuperSefa to emerge.
Super Sefa – a revelation of NRC 2014
For NRC 2016 Zane Hilton has been confirmed as head coach, this lead us to believe a similar approach will be in place.
The Rebels have two great advantages to grow as a team compared to the other teams in Australian Super Rugby, and shall be used to prepare for the 2017 season:
- Michael Cheika tends to call players from the other states. Instead of being all sorry for themselves the Rebels organisation should use this as an advantage. Build up the team during the long off-season months and use the “show the northerners” incentive.
- The local clubs aren’t as strong as in the Shute Shield or QPR. This could be used by the Rebels to force the local clubs to adopt a similar playing style as the Super Rugby team to grow ready made local talent. It may enrage some clubs, but a more uniform management of the teams and players will benefit the main goal: bringing the Rebels to the play offs.
This is what happens on a bigger scale in New Zealand, where the main goal is AB’s success and every Super Rugby team is managed by NZRU to achieve this goal. It works.
A lot of eyes will be on Fijian rugby league superstar Marika Koroibete, who only has to move a about 200 meters to his new team. The speedster will have a big impact in 2017 season and boost the lacustrine Rebels’ attack.
Marika Koroibete – Try scoring machine, 2017 Rebel.
Melbourne Rebels continue to bring in young talent from interstate. Tyrel Lomax is the latest example, Jack Maddocks and Jack McGregor are other two young guns with a lot of potential.
God forbid Quade Cooper will join the team, for the sake of a couple of tickets more, this will destabilise the team. The Rebels have already been there with O’Connor-Beale duo, thanks.
In 2016 the Rebels won 5 games against the other Australian teams, including a win in Sydney. The Rebels only had one loss against an Australian team; against the Brumbies at home. 2017 will see the northern teams come back stronger, especially the Reds. They cannot cannot afford another season like 2016, so expect competition to be fierce. The Rebels will have to keep their Australian record, and improve against the other teams.
2016 Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby Awards
Player of the Year: Reece Hodge
Best Back: Reece Hodge
Best Forward: Sean McMahon
Most Improved: Jordy Reid
Rookie of the Year Reece Hodge
Reece Hodge – Sweeping the GAGR Melbourne Rebels awards for 2016
