With the ARU dispensation allowing them to sign 10 foreigners for their inaugural season, the Melbourne Rebels have an opportunity to build a unique and exciting new team. I am not talking about grabbing a few unwanted New Zealanders or South Africans, I mean looking for players from as far and wide as possible, and it all makes sense from a playing, player development, supporter, finance, and sponsorship perspective.
Recruitment has already begun, and many of the expected avenues have been exploited (Australians playing overseas, Current Australian Super 14 players, National Rugby League Players, and it is reasonable to expect that Rod Macqueen will add to those the pick of current Colts and Schoolboy players), but these alone won’t make for a particularly competitive team, nor an interesting one.
I would like a real ‘Barbarians’ feel to the Melbourne Rebels, with players from both the big rugby nations and maybe a couple of the small ones too. This wide range of nationalities has a number of potential benefits:
– Wider local and international appeal and profile, leading to wider potential sponsorship opportunities
– A ‘unique selling point’ within Melbourne Sports, Australian Rugby, and Super rugby
– The international nature of Rugby will be emphasized thereby raising its status locally
– The IRB is likely to react positively and may even be persuaded to assist in some way (maybe an international rugby academy could be founded in Melbourne)
-A new team that generates new and wide interest in the Super competition and Australian Rugby will please the ARU, if only because television income could conceivably increase
-As players with the requisite skill and experience, they will be a positive example for the young Australians who will need to take over when the foreigners leave
-They may even win a few games
So who have they got? And who might they recruit?
Current Squad:
Australia: Laurie Weeks, Adam Freier, Luke Jones, Adam Byrnes, Jarrod Saffy, Tim Davidson, Sam Cordingly, Richard Kingi, Stirling Mortlock, Lachie Mitchell, Peter Betham
England: Danny Cipriani
Wales: Gareth Delve
New Zealand: Hoani MacDonald, Greg Somerville
Whilst the squad consists of 15 players, there is not yet a viable team. Here are some suggestions (some more realistic than others) for internationals for filling some of the gaps:
USA: Mike Hercus (Fly Half), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Wing – remember him?)
Argentina: Santiago Fernández (Fly Half – a young international, but not yet an established professional), Marcos Ayerza (Loose Head Prop), Rodrigo Roncero (Loose Head Prop)
Romania: Marius Tincu (Hooker), Iulian Dumitras (Fly Half/Fullback)
Georgia: Davit Khinchagishvili (Loose Head Prop), Mamuka Gorgodze (Lock), Merab Kvirikashvili (Fly Half)
Fiji: Seru Rabeni (Centre), Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Wing), Nicky Little (Fly Half)
Tonga: Hale T Pole (Flanker), Nili Latu (Flanker)
Samoa: Semo Sititi (Flanker)
Kenya: Collins Injera (Wing), Humphrey Kayange (Centre)
All very interesting, but the problem is getting them to join. Most of the players listed either play in Europe or Japan, whilst the Kenyan brothers Collins Injera and Humphrey Kayange are stalwarts of the Kenyan 7s side. Being professionals, they will have (generally quite good) contracts with their current clubs (Santiago Fernández being the exception, as far as I know).
On the other hand, how would they like to play in the best provincial rugby competition in the world? In a unique team made up of Australian and international talent? Coached by the legendary Rod Macqueen? In the sport mad and cosmopolitan city of Melbourne? With the eyes of the rugby world fixed firmly on you?….What?! No, they don’t have a dental plan!
Assuming the details can be somehow worked out here is a Hypothetical Match Day 22 (based on current signings and a few international recruits)
1 – Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina)
2 – Marius Tincu (Romania)
3 – Laurie Weeks (Australia)
4 – Adam Byrnes (Australia)
5 – Hoani MacDonald (New Zealand)
6 – Gareth Delve (Wales)
7 – Jarrod Saffy (Australia)
8 – Tim Davidson (Australia)
9 – Richard Kingi (Australia)
10 – Merab Kvirikashvili (Georgia)
11- Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA)
12 – Seru Rabeni (Fiji)
13 – Stirling Mortlock (Australia)
14 – Collins Injera (Kenya)
15 -Danny Cipriani (England)
Reserves
16 – Adam Freier (Australia)
17 – Greg Somerville (New Zealand)
18 – Luke Jones (Australia)
19 – tbc (2010 Australian Schoolboys number 7)
20 – Sam Cordingly (Australia)
21 – Lachie Mitchell (Australia)
22 – Peter Betham (Australia)
That is a pretty experienced and competitive team, with plenty of muscle up front and in the centres, pace on the wings, and skill in the halves.
The other point is that these guys have proven rugby track records, and would certainly cost no more than the rumoured ‘$1M a season’ Billy Slater or (the surely less expensive) Israel Folau, both of whom (whilst having potential) have no rugby pedigree to speak of. To my mind the international option makes better sense from both a financial and a rugby perspective.
